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GEOGRAPHY 



^ n u t V ©onntff; 



FOR YOUNG CHILDREN 



EMBRACING 



1. A short Topographical and Historical Sketch of every 

Town : 

2. A general View of the County, and the Employments of 

the People: 

3. A Glossary, explaining the Geographical and other Diffi- 

cult Terms, 



BY JAMES G. CARTER AND WILLIAM H. BROOKS. 



rto 



WITH A NEW MAP OF THE COUNTY. 



" Children are very early capable of describing the places, 
mountains, and rivers, which pass under their inspection." 



BOSTG N„: 

CARTER AND HENDEE 




DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS— fom<: 

District Clerk's Office. 

Be it remembered, that on the thirtieth day of July, 
A. D. 1830, in the fifty -fifth year of the Independence of 
the United States of America, James G. Carter and 
William H. Brooks, of the said district, have deposited in 
this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as 
authors, in the words following, to wit : 

" A Geography of Essex County ; for Young Children ; 
embracing 1. A short Topographical and Historical Sketch 
of every Town. 2. A general View of the County, and the 
Employments of the People. 3. A Glossary, explaining the 
Geographicai and other Difficult Terms. By'James G. Car- 
ter and William H. Brooks. With a new Map of the County. 
' Children are very early capable of describing the places, 
mountains, and rivers, which pass under their inspection.' " 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United 
States, entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, 
by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the 
authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times 
therein mentioned ;" and also to an act, entitled, " An act 
supplementary to an act, entitled, an act for the encourage- 
ment of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and 
books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during 
the times therein mentioned ; and extending the benefits 
thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching 
historical and other prints." 

TNO W DAVIS I Clerk of the District of 
Ji\U. W. DAVIS, ^ Massachusetts. 



Press of Carter, Andrews, & Co Lancaster, Mass. 



\^ 



A 



PREFACE 



To parents and guardians of children in the County of 
Essex this geographical and historical account of that an- 
cient and populous district of Massachusetts is presented, 
in the belief that it is adapted to promote there the interests 
of early education. Assuming the principle, that we need 
to know most of the places which are nearest to us, and 
that the amount of our knowledge of the various parts of 
the earth's surface should be graduated, other things being 
equal, by their distance from us, it is proposed that geo- 
graphical education be conducted with a view to this result. 
■^t a very tender age, therefore, as soon as the young mind 
-s power enough to understand the ideas conveyed to us 
the terms hill, valley, plain y and sf ream, the child should 
gin the study of geography, and begin it with his own 
vn. Having fully acquainted himself with the geography 
his own town, he should proceed to the remaining towns 
his own county, and growing less and less particular as 
2 advances, pass from towns to counties, and then in order, 
) states, countries, and continents. The pupil should also 
examine on a map the situation of every place of which he 
may be learning an account, and, for the sake of still greater 
precision in his knowledge and for a useful mental discipline, 
should draw the shape of each. 

A particular view of Essex will be for the young children 
of that County the appropriate introduction to their study of 
the science of Geography. Having gained a full acquaintance 



IV PREFACE. 

with their own County, their minds will be prepared for an 
account somewhat less in detail of the remaining counties of 
Massachusetts and of the state itself. In tliis part of their 
course their wants will be supplied by a Geography of Massa- 
chusetts, already before the publick. A treatise still less mi- 
nute upon the geography of the United States and of the 
earth in general, will complete the system, of which an out- 
line has been just delineated. 

Beginning, therefore, with their own town, children will 
be gratified with learning a description of what it contains, 
and will even be led to think what other information they 
can add to the account themselves. And without doubt 
they will feel a strong curiosity to know whether the streams, 
hills, and fertile valleys of their own town extend into the 
towns adjoining, and to compare the employments of the 
respective inhabitants of the several places, their publick in- 
stitutions, and their importance as indicated by their extent 
and their population. Especially will their interest be roused 
(the remark springs from long and various experience) on 
finding themselves able to draw with neatness the shape of 
their own towns and odier towns in their immediate neigh- 
bourhood, to trace out the courses of streams and roads, and 
to mark the actual position of churches, factories, hills, and 
ponds. The child's interest in the study, being thus auspi- 
ciously excited, will not fail to be sustained in his progress 
through the county, if he have tolerably faithful and judicious 
instruction. By the time he has completed this thorough 
survey of his own county he will have gained an amount of 
information, which is not only not now acquired by children^ 
but is very rarely possessed even by men, respecting what it 
most nearly concerns him to be familiar with, viz. the portion 
of his own country immediately around him. He will have 
had his memory exercised, as it ought always to be, in strict 
alliance witli the understanding. He will have begun in due 



PREFACE. V 

season to try his judgment, and to educate it to activity and 
accuracy by its numerous trials, in estimating tiie proportions 
of lines and angles, and comparing the importance of towns. 
He will also have obtained unconsciously an important control 
over his power of attention. These fruits of the study are 
predicted with confidence, because in repeated instances they 
have already been produced. 



DIRECTIONS TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS. 



The pupil should be provided with a geography and map 
of Essex County, and a small black board 18 inches long by 
15 broad. If this cannot be easily procured, a slate and 
pencil will very well answer the purpose. Let his attention 
first be directed to the map, and inform him that the top is 
north, the bottom south, the right hand east, and the left 
hand west. Let him find on the map the town where he re- 
sides, and observe carefully its shape, its ponds, its rivers, 
and its mountains. All these he is to draw from the map 
upon his small black board with chalk, and to draw them ov- 
er and over again, till he can do it accurately from his mem- 
cry alone. Next, the boundaries of the town are to be learn- 
ed. The pupil may then leave the map and see what is said 
of the town in the geography. He will find an account of it 
in its alphabetical place among the towns of the county. To 
show the pupil that he can understand the whole matter, and 
that it is one of his own concern, he may be encouraged to 
consider what things there may be worthy of notice in the 
town besides those mentioned in the book, as mills or facto- 
ries, ponds, streams, liills, or mountains. 

a2 



VI NlKFACfi. 

For recitations a large black board should be used at least 
three feet wide and three feet and a half long. This should 
be so placed that the pupil standing before it, may have his 
face to the north 5 when, of course, his right hand will be to 
the east, his back to the south, and his left hand to the west. 
If the class consist of several, let one be directed to draw 
the northern line of the town boundary. Another may be 
invited to criticise the execution, and then another may give 
his opinion. It may then with advantage be submitted to 
the judgment of the whole class, that any one who can de- 
tect an inaccuracy, may expose it. Let the eastern bound- 
ary now be drawn and subjected to the same critical examin- 
ation and amendment; and so of the other lines. A mem- 
ber of the class may then name the towns on the borders, 
marking tlie place of each, mentioning its direction from the 
town drawn, and pointing to its actual position with refer- 
ence to the place he stands in. The streams, ponds, and 
roads being thus laid down, one of the pupils should be re- 
quired to leave the drawing and point towards the ponds, 
and signify also by pointing the actual direction of the 
streams and roads as they pass through the town. Questions 
may now be asked to elicit all other information that has 
been obtained respecting the town. The facts as they are 
elicited should be as much as possible connected with the 
drawing. If there be churches, an academy, or factories in 
the town, let their position be marked. 

The second lesson may be one of the adjoining towns, or 
two, if their lines can be easily drawn, and the matter to be 
learned from the geography be small in amount. And in 
this lesson also the personal knowledge of the pupil or the 
teacher, or any other sources of information may be advanta- 
geously applied to. At reciting this lesson, the shape of the 
tovm or towns may be drawn on a vai'iety of scales. This 
exercise will be exceedingly useful, as a severe discipline of 



I'REFACE. Vll 

the mind is involved in producing accurate proportions. 
And the class should be kept constantly on the alert in judg- 
ing of the truth of the proportions betw^een the several lines 
drawn by their companion. When greater ease has been 
acquired in drawings and several tow^ns can be despatched 
at a lesson^ there will be a wider field for this exercise in ad- 
justing the relative size and shape of different towns. Let 
the class thus pass through their county^ drawing from the 
map for every lesson a group of contiguous towns, and learn- 
ing accounts of them regularly from the geography. Their 
exercises may be lengthened with their increasing ability, and 
there should be a review for every four or five lessons. On 
the completion of the county let the drawing of the whole 
of it be assigned as a separate lesson ; or if this be too 
much; let there be reviews of the towns till they can be 
all drawn promptly, with the hills and streams, and an entire 
map of the county be formed. Meanwhile the pupil may be 
put upon the General View of the County, always connecting 
his lessons with exercises in drawing for the benefit of direct 
reference. Thus, when engaged upon the part relating to 
Towns, he may mark the largest and most populous ; when 
upon that part respecting Inhabitants, he may point out the 
portions where the people are employed in manufactures ; 
when upon the Rivers and Mountains, he may draw them ; 
and when learning the History, he may mark whatever places 
in the county may be there mentioned. 

The pupil sliould be taught to turn to the list of definitions 
at the end of the book for all difficult terms, and to apply to 
his iAstructer if he do not find them there. Regular and 
close examinations by the teacher into his pupil's knowledge 
of the meaning of these terms will accomplish, in this re- 
spect, all that is desirable. 

Parents and teachers need not hesitate to undertake to 
teach this system of geography to their children and pupils, 

a3 



Vlll PREFACE. 

merely because they have never been so taught tlicmsclves. 
If they possess only a moderate interest in the subject of 
education, or the progress of the children under their care, 
they may begin according to the above directions, with per- 
fect confidence that they will find themselves competent to 
every essential duty, which will be required of them. 



PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

ESSEX COUNTY 



Ameshury. There were no white people on 
the west bank of Powow River for some time 
after Salisbury was settled by them. Afterwards 
a number of families having settled there asked 
permission to form a parish themselves. Their 
request was granted ; and as the place belonged 
to Salisbury, it was called Salisbury New-town. 
-It afterwards became a separate town. The 
land here is not of the best kind, and the peo- 
ple have engaged in other business as well as 
in agriculture. There is a village at the point 
where Powow River runs into the Merrimack. 
The people of this village once found profitable 
employment in ship building, but they build 
very ^ew vessels now because they are not in 

Draw the north line of Amesbury. Draw the east line. 
South. We&t. How is the town bounded ? Draw the stream 
which crosses the town. Mai-k the places of the ponds in 
Amesbury. Which bank of Powow River was first settled 
by white people ? What request was made by the first set- 
tlers of Amesbury ? What was Amesbury once called ? 
What is the quality of the land here ? Where is one village 
situated ? How were the people of this village once cmploy- 
a4 



10 PARTICUI-AR VIEW OF 

demand. It was in an iron factory at Ames- 
bury that Mr. Perkins' machine for cutting 
nails was first used. Formerly nails were made 
by blacksmiths with great labour and expense, 
and called wrought nails. Now they are cut so 
easily by machines, that cut nails are much the 
cheapest and are used almost exclusively. The 
iron factory, in which a great deal of business 
was formerly done, is no longer in operation. 
Many of the inhabitants of Amesbury are em- 
ployed in factories, of which there are several 
in the town round the falls of Powow River. 
There is also a machine shop for making tools 
and machinery, and a bleachery for whitening 
cloth. Great quantities of woollen cloth have 
been made here, and a large village has been 
built near the mills. There is another consid- 
erable village in Salisbury on the opposite side 
of the river. Both villages together are called 
Amesbury Mills. The Powow River is not 
large but as it descends 100 feet in 50 rods 
it comes down with force enough to set a great 

ed ? Are many vessels now built there ? What machine was 
used in this town first ? How were nails once made ? How 
are they now generally made ? How are many of the inhabi- 
tants of Amesbury employed ? Where are the factories ? 
What other buildings are mentioned ? What article is man- 
ufactured at the factories ? What is there near them ? What 
ai-e the villages on both sides of the river called? What is 
said of Powow River ? Of the prospect at the falls ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 11 

deal of machinery in motion. Here a remark- 
able prospect is afforded by the dams across 
the river, the falling water and the numerous 
mills and factories on the stream. 

Andover is a very old tovi^n. White people 
first begun to live here about 190 years ago, 
nearly at the time vt^hen others first settled Ha- 
verhill. The town was called by the Indians 
Cochichawick. It was bought of the Sagamore 
of Massachusetts for 26 or 27 dollars and a coat. 
It was a place of resort for Indians, because 
there was abundance of fish, and because the 
land was easily cultivated. When the township 
was sold by the Sagamore, four acres were re- 
served for Roger, the Indian, and his company. 
The Indians were friendly to the white people 
for about 30 years till the time of Philip's war. 
At the first attack they made, they took a boy 
prisoner, wounded one man, murdered another, 
burned a house, and killed some cattle but had 

Draw the northern line of Andover. The eastern. South- 
ern. Western. How is the town bounded ? Draw Shawshine 
River. Mark the places of the cliief ponds in the town. Draw 
Cochichewick Brook. Mark the place of the Institution and 
Academy. Is Andover an old or a new town ? How longago^ 
did white people first come here to live ? What was the Indian' 
name of Andover ? How much did all the land in the town 
'cost ? Why did the Indians like to live there ? How much 
land was saved for them ? Were the Indians friendly at first 
or not '/ Wliat harm did they do at the first attack on the 



12 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

only time to cut out their tongues before they 
were fired upon by the white people. At an- 
other time they took a boy prisoner, who pre- 
tended to be lame and unable to keep up with 
the Indians, who were going off and were afi-aid 
of being chased. They hastened on, but the 
boy turned, run back and escaped, though the 
Indian who had taken him shot at hirn. Sev- 
eral people of Andover were at different attacks 
killed or wounded by the savages and some 
property was destroyed. But the town suffered 
most in 1698. It was then suddenly attacked 
by 30 or 40 Indians, who killed 5 persons, burnt 
two houses and two barns, with the cattle in 
them, and set the meeting-house on fire, though 
they did not succeed in burning it down. They 
took Col. Bradstreet and his family prisoners, 
carried them 50 rods and then let them go un^ 
hurt. Old people in Andover used to say that 
the Indian who showed the rest of the Indians 
the way to Col. Bradstreet's house, would not 
agree to do it till they had promised not to 
kill or make prisoners any of the family, be- 
cause he had a great friendship for Col. Brad- 
town ? Give an account of the boy who was taken prisoner. 
What injury did the people of the town suffer from the In- 
dians at different times ? What happened in 1698 ? What was 
done by the Indians to Col. Bradstreet's family ? Why did they 



BSS£X COUNTY. 13 

Street. This was the reason that they let the 
family go. The inhabitants used to be in great 
fear of the Indians. They had fortified houses 
in every neighbourhood, and carried their guns 
with them when they went to work in the 
fields. Throughout the war of the Revolution 
Andover employed about 100 soldiers in the 
army, paying and clothing them, and sometimes 
giving provision to their families. 

This is much the largest township in the 
County. It is situated on the southeastern side 
of Merrimack River and has the Shawshine 
passing through it. There are several ponds 
and brooks in the town so that it is well water- 
ed. Great Pond contains 447 acres and is 7 or, 
8 miles round ; it is clear and well supplied 
with fish. Its waters pass into the Merrimack 
through Cochichewick Brook. The north par- 
ish presents a beautiful and fertile surface 
swelling into large hills. The southwest part 
of the town contains extensive plains. The 

let them go ? What did the inhabitants use to do in their 
fear of the Indians ? How much did the people of Andover 
do for their country in the Revolution ? 

Wliat is said of the size of Andover ? How is it situated ? 
How is it watered ? What mention is made of Great Pond ? 
What stream conveys its waters to the Merrimack ? Give 
some account of the North Parish. Of the southwest part of 



14 r ARTICULAR VIEW OF 

northwest part is stony and hilly. Fine mead 
ows spread out on both sides of the Shawshine. 
The air in this town is remarkably pure and 
healthy, and many people in ill health come 
here from other towns for the benefit of it. 
Andover has some of the best farms and farmers 
in the county or in the eastern part of the state. 
About 350 people work in factories and make 
a great deal of woollen cloth and some cotton 
cloth, and paper. There are three woollen 
factories and a mill on Cochichewick Brook, 
and three woollen factories, a machine factory 
and six mills on the Shawshine. 

The north parish contains an academy called 
Franklin Academy, and a private school of con- 
siderable reputation under the care of two in- 
structers byfthe names of Putnam and Pierce. 
Phillips Academy in the south parish was the 
first academy established by law in Massachu- 
setts. A great deal of money and land was 
given to it, by its founders, two gentlemen, who 
were brothers of the name of Phillips. The 

the town. Of the northwest part. Of the valley of the Shaw- 
shine. Is Andover a healthy or ti sickly place ? What is said 
of the farms and of the farmers ? How many persons work 
in factories and what do they manufacture ? Mention the 
number of factories in the town. 

What seminaries are there in tlie North Parish? Has 
Phillips Academy been long established ? Wiiy did the Acad- 



ESSEX COUNTY. 15 

Academy was named for them. It owns prop- 
erty to the amount of more than fifty thousand 
dollars. It has been very much celebrated for 
the thorough manner, in which Latin and Greek 
have been taught in it, and it has set a good 
example to other schools. The oldest Theo- 
logical Institution in the country is also in the 
south parish. The part of the town where it is 
situated is pleasant and very high, so that a per- 
son there can see the country for many miles 
around. The Institution has three large brick 
buildings with handsome grounds in front. 
Students live in two of the buildings ; the third 
contains a chapel, lecture-rooms and a library 
of six or seven thousand volumes. More than 
100 students belong to the school. They study 
here three years to prepare themselves for min- 
isters under the instruction of four Professors, 
one of whom is President of the Institution. 
Instruction is given free of expense, and some 
scholars are entirely supported, who cannot af- 
ford to support themselves. The Institution is 

emy receive the name it bears ? How much property belongs 
to it? What has been the opinion of people concerning the 
Academy ? What otlier seminary is there in the South Parish ? 
How is it situated ? How many buildings belong to it, and 
for what purposes are they used ? How many students are 
there here l How are they employed ? How much is done 
for the students ? How can the institution afford to do so 
inuch for them ? 



16 PARTICULAR VIEW OP 

very rich, having received in presents four hun- 
dred thousand dollars. 

Andover contains a bank and a printing office 
which issues a weekly newspaper. Considera- 
ble printing has also been executed here in the 
English, Greek, and Hebrew languages. 

Beverly was settled very early ; a fort was 
built here before Governor Endicott arrived at 
Salem. The town was for many years a part 
of Salem. The land was given to the white 
settlers by an Indian named Sagamore John. 
Three of Sagamore John's grand children ask- 
ed pay for the land, and though they had no 
right to it, received from the inhabitants nearly 
30 dollars. Captain Lathrop belonged to this 
town, who, with most of his company of eighty 
men, was killed by the Indians in the western 
part of this state. Near the close of the Revo- 
lution Beverly was very flourishing, and her 
privateers took some valuable British vessels. 

What is there in Andover besides what has been mention- 
ed 1 What kinds of printing are executed here ? 

Draw the north line of Beverly. The east line. South. 
West. How is Beverly bounded 1 Draw Bass River. Mark 
and name the pond on the north line of the town. Is Beverly 
an old or a new town ? To what town did it once belong ? 
How was the land obtained from the Indians 1 How came 
any thing to be paid for it ? What mention is made of Capt. 
Lathrop, of this town ? What was the situation of Beverly 
near the close of the Revolution 1 



ESSEX COUNTY. 17 

The town has Woolston or Porter's River 
and Bass River on its western side, separating 
it from Dan vers and Salem. On the south it is 
washed by Massachusetts Bay. There is some 
rocky and unproductive pasture-land, but there 
is much valuable and well cultivated soil. The 
most thickly settled part of Beverly is the 
southwest, where it approaches Salem. It is 
connected with that town by an expensive 
bridge about one third of a mile long. At the 
bridge begins a long and closely built street, 
containing many handsome houses and extend- 
ing towards the north part of the town. At the 
lower part of it near Salem, is presented a fine 
view of the harbours of Salem and Beverly. 
Here live many mechanicks, and traders, and 
people who go to sea for their living. There 
are other settlements, in different parts of the 
township, such as the Upper Parish and Beverly 
Farms, in which the people are chiefly engaged 
in cultivating their lands. Some vessels em- 

What rivers are there on the west side of the town ? How 
is Beverly bounded on the south? Of what quality are the 
lands in this town ? In what part of the town are the houses 
built nearest to each other ? How can people pass from this 
town to Salem ? What is said of the street which begins near 
the bridge 1 What prospect is there from the lower part of 
it ? What people live in this part of the town? What is the 
chief employment of people in other parts of Beverly ? What 



18 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

ployed in commerce are owned in the town, and 
some seamen, belonging to Beverly, sail to dis- 
tant countries from other seaports, as Salem 
and Boston. Beverly has however been most 
celebrated for sending out a great many vessels 
and men to catch cod fish and bring them home 
to be dried and afterwards sold. The town 
contains a bank and five churches. 

Boxford was once the western part of the 
township of Rowley. The bodies of several 
Indians were found buried in this town some 
years ago. Great numbers of flint arrow heads 
and a pestle and mortar of stone, were found 
with them. The town contains several ponds. 
Two on the boundary line between Boxford 
and Bradford are connected by a brook and 
send forth a small but useful stream to the 
Merrimack. From several other ponds in the 
town spring the head waters of Rowley and 
Parker Rivers. A branch of Ipswich River 

concern has the town in commerce ? For what business has 
it been most celebrated ? What does the town contain ? 

Draw the north line of Boxford. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Mark the places of the 
ponds in Boxford. Draw the streams. To what town did 
Boxford once belong ? What discovery was made in the 
town some years ago 1 What articles were found with the 
bodies ? What is said of the two ponds on the boundary line 
between Boxford and Bradford ? Where do Rowley and 
Parker Rivers rise ? What mention is made of a branch of 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



19 



also has its sources in Boxford, and running in- 
to Topsfield, unites with the main stream. 
Though there is some plain and meadow land 
in the township the surface is generally une- 
ven. The soil, though not naturally very fertile, 
is made productive by industrious cultivation. 
The inhabitants are mostly farmers, but many 
find employment in making shoes, which are 
sent to Salem and to other places for sale. 

Bradford. The land in this township was 
given by the General rCourt to the Rev. Mr. 
Rogers and some other persons belonging to 
Rowley, for the convenience of that town. A 
great many years ago, when the Indians were 
numerous, they became enemies to the white 
people. The inhabitants of Bradford were so 
much alarmed on their account that they had 
three fortified houses, in which they passed the 
night in times of danger. The surface of the 
township varies a great deal from high ground to 

Ipswich River X Is the surface of tlie town level or uneven ? 
Is the soil good or is it bai-ren? What is the business of the 
people ? 

Draw that part of Merrimack Eiver which bounds Brad- 
ford on the north. Draw the east line. Tlie South. West. 
How is the township of Bradford bounded ? Mark the places 
of the ponds in the town. Draw the stream which runs across 
Bradford into the Merrimack. To whom did the General 
Court give the land in Bradford 1 What is said of the dispo- 
sition of the Indians towards the white people ? How much 
were the white people alarmed ? Is the surface of the towor 
R 



20 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

]o\v, and from low to high. The land is gener- 
ally good, though not all alike in goodness. 
Some of it is excellent, especially some interval 
land on the bank of the Merrimack. From 
one or two high hills in this town can be seen 
the course of the Merrimack, here a beautiful 
stream, the fine town of Haverhill beyond it, 
and some of the neighbouring towns. John- 
son's Creek, a small stream running out of a 
pond on the southern border of the town, flows 
across Bradford to the Merrimack and sets the 
wheels of several mills in motion in its course. 
A handsome bridge, covered with a low roof, 
like the roof of a house, to prevent decay from 
the weather, connects this town with Haverhill. 
In the east parish there is a ferry, or a place on 
the river where a boat is kept to carry people 
across to the east parish of Flaverhill. As in other 
towns on the Merrimack, a great many vessels 
were once built in Bradford ; but none are built 
there now. The business, of tanning leather is 
carried on here very extensively. One or two 

ship level ? What is the quality of the lands ? Where is some 
of the best land in the town ? What is the prospect from some 
of the hills ? What account can you give of Johnson's Creek ? 
How can travellers pass from this town to Haverhill ? How 
can they cross the river from the east parish ? What branch 
of business was once pursued in this town ? What business 
is now extensively carried on ? How many persons are em- 
ployed in making shoes ? How many pairs of shoes are sent 



ESSEX COUNTY. 21 

hundred men are employed in making shoes. 
There are sent every year to New- York and to 
other places, one hundred and fifty thousand 
pairs of shoes, or nearly enough to supply every 
person in Essex County with two pairs. In 
Merrimack River are caught salmon, shad, bass, 
sturgeon, and alewives. In spring people set a 
great many seines or nets to catch the fish, but 
have not so much success now as they once had. 
Bradford Academy, in the west parish, has been 
extensively known, and is generally attended by 
a large number of pupils. There is also an 
academy in the east parish. 

Danvers was originally a part of Salem, and 
was called Salem Village. At this place began 
the trouble and distress caused both in and out 
of Essex County nearly 140 years ago by the 
terrors of supposed witchcraft. An Indian 
woman was first charged with being a witch. 
She was a servant in the family of the Rev. Mr. 

away every year to be sold ? What kinds of fish does Merri- 
mack River afford ? When and hovv^ do people catch the fish 1 
Are there as many fish as there once were ? What has been 
the success of Bradford Academy ? Is there any other acad- 
emy in the town ? 

Draw the north line of Danvers. The east line. South. 
West. How is Danvers bounded ? Draw the streams in the 
town. Mark the places of the ponds. To what town did 
Danvers once belong, and what was its name ? What great 
•alamity begun liere ? How did it begin ? To what family 



22 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

Paris, minister of this place, whose house is still 
standing. Soon many other persons in this 
village and in the neighbouring towns were 
accused of the same crime. Men's minds were 
alarmed and deceived, and great misery was 
produced. 

Though there is considerable plain land in 
Danvers, the surface is generally uneven. The 
lands are well cultivated, and yield abundance 
of fruits and vegetables. These are sent to Salem 
market in great quantities, and they bring high 
prices. A great many of the butchers and market- 
men, who supply Salem with fresh and salted pro- 
visions and vegetables, live in this town. Danvers 
has also considerable trade with the interior 
towns of Essex County, supplying them from its 
stores with many of the necessities and conven- 
iences of life, and taking in return the produce 
of their lands and sending it to the Salem market. 
The manufacture of shoes and earthen ware 
forms an important part of the business of the 
people. Chocolate is made here, and cotton and 
woollen cloth are also manufactured. There 

did slie belong ? What happened afterwards ? What -was the 
state of men's minds ? Has Danvers an even or an 
uneven surface ? What are the productions of the lands ? 
Where are they sent ? What persons do business in Salem, 
but live in this town 1 Give some account of the trade of 
Danvers with the interior towns. What articles are man- 
ufactured here to considerable extent ? What are the other 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



23 



are, besides, two iron factories. By these, nails 
are cut in great quantities, anchors are made, 
and iron is slit into small rods or pressed between 
two heavy rollers into flat strips. But the chief 
article of manufacture in the town is leather. 
Numerous and extensive tanneries cover and 
redden with ground bark considerable tracts of 
land. They are supplied with hundreds of 
cords of hemldck bark from the Salem wharves, 
to which it is brought in vessels from the state 
of Maine. The tanning and dressing of leather 
have enriched a great many of the citizens of 
Danvers, and been of immense advantage to the 
town. 

At the head of the river forming the boundary 
line between this town and Beverly, there is a 
considerable village, in which much business is 
done. Essex Bridge, between Salem and Bev- 
erly, is in the way of vessels coming up the river 
to this village, and the owners of the bridge 
pay thirty or forty dollars every year to 
the town of Danvers on that account. The 

manufactures of the town ? What is done in the two iron 
factories ? What is the chief manufacture of Danvers ? What 
is the appearance of the tanneries? Where is the supply of 
bark obtained ? In what way had the town been much en- 
riched ? Where is one important village of the town ? Why 
should the owners of a bridge between Salem and Beverly 
pay money to the town of Danvers ? What is said of the 

b2 . 



24 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

chief village of the town is large and thickly 
settled. The principal street of it is long and 
joins the main street in Salem, as if it belonged 
to the same town. The numerous manufactures, 
an active business, and the enterprise of the 
people of Dan vers have given success to the bank 
lately established in the place, and make the 
town one of the most flourishing in Essex 
County. 

Essex was for 121 years a parish of the an- 
cient town of Ipswich and was called Chebacco. 
Essex and West-Newbury both became towns 
the same year, 1819 ; and they are the youngest 
in the county. In the eastern part of the town- 
ship and on both sides of the stream flowing 
through the town, there are extensive marsh- 
lands yielding great quantities of salt hay. This 
town has engaged actively, like almost all the 
towns on the coast of Essex County, in sending 
out men and vessels to pursue the fishing busi- 
ness. It is well situated for shipbuilding on ac- 

principal village of Dauvers 1 Of the chief streeft in it ? To 
what causes does the town owe its prosperity ? 

Draw the north line of Essex. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Draw Cheljacco River. 
Mark Chebacco Pond. Mariv the islands in Oiebacco Bay. 
To what town did Essex formerly belong ? How old are the 
towns of Essex and West Newbury ? From what parts of 
the town is salt hay obtained ? In what business has this tovvn 
engaged; with other towns on the coast of Essex County ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 25 

count of the river, which flows through it conve- 
niently, in a winding course, and affording ample 
room. No less than forty vessels were building 
in 1828, and there are several building in 1830. 
Employment is furnished by shipbuilding to a 
great many men. Probably more vessels are 
built here than in any other town in the state. 
Timber and plank are brought down from Mer- 
rimack River in rafts. They pass from the 
river into Plumb Island Sound, and thence 
through a canal which has been dug across to 
a stream on the north border of the town. 
There is a line and twine manufactory in the 
town. 

Gloucester'. Fishing vessels used to come 
every year from England to the coast about 
Cape Ann, on which Gloucester is situated. 
The men brought their fish ashore on the Cape 
and dried them and then returned home. In 

Why is Essex well situated for shipbuilding ? How many 
vessels are built here ? Of what advantage is ship-building to 
the town ? To what extent is the business probably carried on 
in Essex, compared with other towns in the state ? From 
what river are the timber and plank brought ? How do they 
pass to this town ? What manufactory is there in the town ? 
Draw the north and east lines of Gloucester. Draw the 
south line. The West. How is Gloucester bounded? 
Draw the streams in the town. Mark the places of the 
ponds. Mark, the islands near Cape Ann. What use was 
made of Cape Ann at first by people from England ? At 

a3 



26 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

1624, only four years after white men had 
first settled in New-England, some persons were 
sent over from Dorchester in England to make 
a settlement here. They were joined by certain 
people who had before settled in this country 
at Nantasket, now the town of Hull ; among 
them was Roger Conant. The settlement was 
soon given up, and Mr, Conant and others went 
to Salem. Gloucester was created a town by 
the General Court in 1642. 

Cape Ann, on which Gloucester is situated,, 
projects far into the sea ; it is the most easterly 
part of the county of Essex, and the extreme 
northern boundary of Massachusetts Bay. The 
town is therefore almost surrounded by the sea, 
of which it presents many fine views. A part 
of the township is an island, being separated 
from the rest by Gloucester and Squam harbours, 
and by a canal which was dug to connect 
them. This is a very rough and rocky town- 
ship, and exhibits rude and wild scenery. 
There is however a considerable extent of flat 
marsh-land, which presents a strong contrast 

what time was an attempt made to settle it ? By whom were 
the settlers joined? When the settlement was driven up, 
where did some of the people go ? When was Gloucester 
created a town ? Where is Cane Ann ? What is the situation 
of the town ? How did part of the township become an 
island ? Give some account of the surface of the township. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 27 

with the broken ground and high rocks around. 
There are three or four important villages, which 
together form the town of Gloucester, On the 
north side of the Cape is the village of Squam. 
Opposite to Squam is the sand beach, which 
once supplied with sand all the towns on the 
seacoast from Portsmouth in New-Hampshire 
to Boston. At that time floors were covered 
with sand instead of carpets or paint. The vill- 
ao-e of Sandy-Bay, on the eastern end of the Cape, 
had no harbour naturally ; but a place to shelter 
vessels has been made there by piling up great 
walls of stone. The people of Squam and Sandy- 
Bay engage actively in the fishing business. 

The principal village, called the Harbour, 
is on the south side of the Cape., It presents a 
pretty appearance as you approach it. On en- 
tering, you find the settlement compact and 
adorned with a number of handsome buildings. 
Here are several streets, some running the same 
way with the shore, and some across from the 
back part of the town down to the harbour and 

Is it all rocky and rough ? How many villages are there in 
the town ? Where is Squam ? What mention is made of the 
beach opposite to Squam ? What old custom is noticed ? 
Where is Sandy-Bay '/ What have the people done for want 
of a harbour ? Hovv are the inhabitants of Squam aud Sandy- 
Bav employed ? Where is the principal village of the Cape ? 
How does it appear on approaching and on entering it ? How 

b4 



28 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

the wharves. They are not very smooth nor 
straight. The tops of rocks frequently appear 
in them, and rocks are seen in the fields also, 
and between the houses. There are many stores 
and mechanics' shops in the place. Some 
trade is carried on between this town and the 
West-Indies ; but the chief business of the place 
is produced by the cod and mackerel fishery. 
The cod fishery is described in the account of 
Marblehead. Those who fish for mackerel go 
away six or eight times in the season and stay 
two or three weeks each time. They salt the 
mackerel they catch, and bring them home. 
They are then put into barrels, and pickle, or 
water made very salt, is poured into the barrel. 
Some mackerel are sold to people from the 
country, and some are sent to Philadelphia, 
New- York, and other places. There is a fort 
at the Harbour, with a number of large cannon 
in it, to keep people off who are at war with 
this country, and to prevent them from injuring 
the town. But as there is no nation now at war 

do the streetsjlie '? What is said of them ? How numerous are 
the rocks in the town ? For what purpose are some of the 
buildings used ? What trade is pursued from the place ? 
What is the principal business ? (rive an account of those 
who fish for mackerel. What is done with the fish when 
they are brought home ? To wliom are they sold ? What 
protection has the town from an enemy ? Why is the fort 



ESSEX COUNTY. 29 

with this country, the fort is not kept in good 
order. East of the town lies Thatcher's Island, 
on which are two high but slender buildings 
called lighthouses. Great lights are placed at 
the top of these every night, so that vessels near 
the Cape may not run ashore in the dark. 
There are in Gloucester quarries of stone, which 
is very valuable for building, and is split out and 
sent to Boston and other places for that purpose. ' 

Gloucester contains several churches, a cus- 
tom-house, and a printing office issuing a weekly 
paper. The inhabitants are very industrious 
and enterprising. No town on the seacoast of 
Essex has been more spirited and successful in 
bearing up against the general decrease of busi- 
ness and the pressure of the times. It is the 
third town in the county in regard to the number 
and size of its vessels taken together. 

Hamilton was once a part of Ipswich, and 
continued to belong to that town eighty years 

neglected ? What buildings are there on Thatcher's Island ? 
What is their use ? What building material is found at 
Gloucester 1 

What does Gloucester contain ? What is the character of 
the inhabitants ? Compare Gloucester with other towns on 
the seacoast of Essex County. 

Draw the north line of Hamilton. The East. South. West. 
How is Hamilton bounded ? Draw the branch of Ipswich 
River which crosses the town. Mark the places of the ponds. 
To what town did Hamilton once belong 1 What was once 



30 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

after it became a parish. It was called Ipswich- 
Hamlet. Ipswich River runs some distance 
along the western border of the town partly 
separating it from Topsfield, and forms a still 
greater part of the boundary line between Ham- 
ilton and Ipswich. Wenham Swamp reaches 
into the south part of this town, and a pond in 
the swamp lies on the boundary line between 
Hamilton and Wenham. Chebacco Pond, ly- 
ing partly in this town and partly in Essex, and 
several smaller ponds in the southeast corner of 
the town, give rise to the head waters of Che- 
bacco River. The surface of the township, 
though by no means a plain, has not many high 
hills. The inhabitants are generally farmers. 
Their houses are upon their farms and scattered 
over the town, so that there is not a large num- 
ber of them together at any one place. 

Haverliill White people first came to live 
at this place about 190 years since. The Indians, 
called it Pentucket. Two of them, with the 

the name of Haixiiiton ? What towns are partly separated 
from this town by Ipswich River. Where is Wenham Swamp ? 
Where does Chebacco River rise ? Is the land in Hamilton 
level ? What is the business of the people 1 Is there any 
large village in the place ? 

Draw the north line of Haverhill. The east line. The 
South. West. How is the town bounded ? Draw the streams- 
crossing the town. Mark the chief ponds in Haverhill. How 
old is Haverhill ? What was its Indian name ? How did the 



ESSEX COtJNTY. 31 

consent of Passaconnaway, who lived here and 
was the Chief of the Indians in this part of the 
country, sold the land in Haverhill to the white 
strangers for 15 or 16 dollars. It then contained 
the town of Plaistow and part of the towns of 
Salem and Atkinson in New-Hampshire, and 
part of Methaen in Essex County. The white 
people named it Haverhill, from Haverhill in 
England, the birth place of Mr. Ward, their 
first minister. The settlement here was for 
fifty years one of those farthest back in the In- 
dian country, and was often troubled by the 
savages. For twenty years scarcely one went 
by in which they did not kill some person or 
plunder property. Two boys being taken pris- 
oners by the Indians and carried into New- 
Hampshire, made their escape in the night, and 
following the course of the first river they met 
with, because it would lead them to the seacoast, 
they arrived safe at a fort. In one year fourteen 
persons were killed, 8 of whom were children. 
In an attack in 1698 the Indians burned 
nine houses and killed or captured about forty 

white people obtain the land ? How large was the place at 
that time ? Why was it called Haverhill ? What was its 
situation for fifty years H How often did the Indians attack 
the town ? Give an account of two boys, who were taken 
prisoners. How many persons were killed in one year ? 
What happened in 1^98 ? What mention is made of Mrs. 



32 PARTICULAR VIEW OF' 

of the inhabitants. A Mrs. Duston was confin- 
ed to her bed at the time with her nurse and 
eight children about her, one of them an infant 
six days old. Her husband hearing the alarm 
sent seven of the children towards a fortified 
house. By this time he saw the Indians near 
him and giving up all hope of saving his wife 
and infant, hastened on horseback after his 
children. The Indians fired at him. He fired 
at them, and kept between the children and the 
savages till he had brought the former to a safe 
place. The Indians carried off Mrs. Duston, 
with her nurse and child, which they soon 
dashed against a tree and killed. Twelve of 
the savages forced the two women and a boy to 
go with them 150 miles into the wilderness of 
New-Hampshire, as it then was. One morning 
just before day break, Mrs. Duston finding the 
Indians fast asleep waked up the other prison- 
ers. They seized the tomahawks of the Indi- 
ans and killed ten out of the twelve, leaving on- 
ly a woman and a boy alive. They then scalped 
them, and cut holes in all their boats but one 
to prevent pursuit, and taking that one fled down 
the Merrimack in safety to Haverhill. 

Duston ? What did her husband do ? What became of Mrs. 
Duston ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



33 



At another time a great company of Indians 
fell upon the town at day break. They attack- 
ed the house of Mr. Rolfe, the minister of the 
place, and killed him, while he was boldly de- 
fending it. The servant maid of Mr. Rolfe 
hearing the alarm ran into the cellar with his 
two daughters and concealed them under two 
tubs. The Indians searched the cellar but did 
not find the children. While they were busy 
in the house a man went behind it and struck 
upon it with a large club, crying " come on, 
come on, we will have them." The Indians 
being very much frightened cried " the English 
are come," and ran away with all speed. The 
rest of them in the town were also alarmed, and 
they all hastened away, having burned several 
houses, taken some prisoners, and killed nearly 
fifty of the inhabitants. They were pursued and 
were forced to give up most of the plunder and 
many of the prisoners, but they cruelly killed 
several to prevent their escape. The door of Mr. 
Rolfe's house is still preserved here in the meet- 
inghouse, pierced with the bullets of the savages 

Whose house did the Indians attack the next time they 
came ? What became of Mr. Rolte's two daughters ? What 
happened while the Indians were in the house ? What did 
the Indians do ? What injury had been done by them before 
they fled ? What were they forced to do on being pursued ? 
What is there in Haverhill to remind people of this attack ? 



34 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

and gashed by their hatchets. For 100 years 
there was no bell in this town to call the people 
to church. A man used to blow a horn every 
Sunday and lecture-day half an hour before 
meeting, and received one pound of pork annu- 
ally from each family in payment. 

Haverhill is situated on the north side of 
Merrimack River, 18 miles from its mouth. 
When the tide is coming in from the sea it meets 
the river and raises the water here five or six 
feet, but never makes it salt. In the spring the 
Merrimack abounds with bass, alewives, and 
shad. Salmon are also caught, but not in such 
numbers as formerly. Little Hiver flows across 
the town into the Merrimack and carries several 
mills. Great Pond in Haverhill is a large and 
very beautiful sheet of water with an abundance 
offish. There are also three other ponds of con- 
siderable size. From one of them logs, made hol- 
low by boring, are laid to the town, and supply the 
inhabitants with water. There are many very 
good farms and orchards in the town, and the 
soil is generally productive. Houses have been 

How i.s the town situated ? What is the effect of the tide 
at this place ? What fish are there in the Merrimack ? What 
is said of Little River ? of Great Pond ? How is the town 
supplied with water? What account can you give of the 
farms and orchards and of the land generally ? Where is the 



ESSEX COUNTY. 35 

built in various parts of the township, but the 
principal village is on the bank of the Merri- 
mack, as far up the river as sloops ascend. It 
is situated on the side of a hill, sloping from a 
considerable height down to the river ; and it 
presents a fine appearance as seen from the 
other bank of the Merrimack. It contains four 
large blocks of stores and some beautiful houses, 
which give an appearance of elegance and impor- 
tance to the town. Some vessels are built here, 
but they are few compared with those built in 
former times. There is a number of stores in 
the town, and considerable business is done here. 
Many of the people find employment in manu- 
factures. Haverhill Bridge, connecting the 
town with Bradford, rests upon strong abut- 
ments at the ends, and upon three piles of stones 
called piers, lying in the river. It is covered 
with a low roof like the roof of a house, and has 
three arches. In the spring the ice breaks up 
in the river with great violence ; and many 
people thought it would carry away any bridge 
that could be built. This bridge is very strong 

largest village ? Wliat is its situation ? How does it appear 
from the other side of the Merrimack ? What buildings are 
there in the village ? Are any vessels now built here ? In 
what business are the people employed ? How is Haverhill 
Bridge supported ? In what does it resemble a house ? In 



36 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

and withstands the ice, though it sometimes 
trembles. The town contains a bank, an acad- 
emy, and a printing press, which issues a week- 
ly newspaper. 

Ipsioich. As early as 1633, only five years 
after the settlement of Salem, the oldest town 
in the county, thirteen persons were sent to take 
possession of this place by the governor of Mas- 
sachusetts. It was feared that the French, some 
of whom had been sent to this country, would 
sieze it if it were not immediately occupied, 
because the land was excellent for cattle and 
tillage. Great numbers soon joined the settle- 
ment. The town was peopled by very respec- 
table men, many of whom owned large estates 
in England. A great many Indians used to live 
in this place. Articles used by them, such as 
pestles and mortars of stone, are found here. 
They liked the situation because they could 
catch abundance of fish in the river of many 
different kinds. The wigwam of the sagamore 

spring does the ice break up violently or gently 1 Does it 
move the bridge 1 What does Haverhill contain ? 

Draw the north line of Ipswich. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Draw Ipswich River. 
Mark the place of the islands near the to\\Ti. When was 
Ipswich settled 1 Why was it settled at that time ? What 
was the character of the settlers ? Who lived in the place 
before white people came there 1 Wliy did they choose this 
situation? What attack is mentioned ? What injury was done 



ESSEX COUNTY. 37 

Masconomo was attacked one night by nearly 
1 00 Indians from the eastern country. Several of 
the Sagamore's rnen were killed, wounded, or 
taken prisoners. He had himself, however, 
killed some of the families of the eastern Indi- 
ans before, so that the white people did not 
much pity him. The Indian name of the place 
was Agawam. The white people called it Ips- 
wich, after Ipswich in England, because they 
had been kindly treated there before they came 
to this country. The town was so prosperous 
that soon after its settlement it paid a greater 
tax than Salem. 

The surface of the township is uneven, 
changing from hill to valley and from valley 
to plain. Ipswich River passes through the 
town between banks descending rather steeply 
to the stream. Vessels can ascend the stream 
to the lower part of the town. The river 
passes over a fall three and a quarter miles 
from its mouth, and a quarter of a mile below, 
over another. These falls supply a great deal 

by those who made the attack ? What feelings had the white 
people towards the Sagaajore 1 What was this town called 
by the Indians ? Mention the reason of its receiving the 
name of Ipswich. What was the success of the settlement ? 
Is the surface of the town level or uneven 1 What stream 
passes through Ipswich ? How high can vessels go up the 
river ? How is the river obstructed ? Of what use are the 



^ PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

of water power. The seacoast of Ipswich is 
well known among sportsmen, who go there to 
shoot the shore-birds which frequent the place. 
The land in Ipswich is very good ; and a great 
part of the inhabitants labour upon it. Many of 
them live in the principal village, but have farms 
at a distance. The farmers of this place are 
famous for the quantities of hay which they raise 
and send to Salem market. A large and hand- 
some stone factory has been built at the falls of 
the river for the purpose of making cotton and 
woollen cloth. Ipswich has long been celebra- 
ted for the manufacture of lace. Silk and thread 
lace was formerly made by hand, in great quan- 
tities, by women and children. It is no longer 
made so, because within a few years a factory 
has been established with machinery which, by 
the aid of a few persons, manufactures it much 
faster and cheaper than it was made before. A 
very large number of women and girls now find 
employment in ornamentmg the lace with their 
needles, after it has been manufactured. 

falls ? Why is the seashore of Ipswich celebrated ? What 
is said of the land in this to^vTi ? What is the business of 
many of the people ? Where do many of the farmers live ? 
For what are the farmers in this place famous '? Wliat factory 
has been built here ? For what manufacture has this town 
been celebrated ? How was lace formerly made ? WTiy is it 
not made so now ? What employment does the lace now 
furnish to females ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 39 

The chief village of Ipswich is composed of 
two settlements directly opposite to each other 
on the banks of the river and united together 
by a bridge. A great part of the village is built 
on the side of a high and rocky hill. The cost- 
ly and excellent bridge connecting the two parts 
of the village has been built 66 years ; it has 
two arches for its support and for the passage 
of the river. Ipswich is one of the three shire 
towns of Essex County, and gains some advan- 
tage from the meeting of the courts in the place. 
It has lost, however, in some degree the impor- 
tance which it once enjoyed, and has an ancient 
and somewhat decayed appearance. It contains 
a neat white court house, and a house of cor- 
rection. There are also in the town an aca- 
demical school, and a female academy which is 
now very flourishing, and in which a great num- 
ber of young ladies are receiving their education. 

Lynn. A little more than 200 years ago the 
only inhabitants of Lynn were Indians or red 

What is the situation of the principal village of Ipswich ? 
Where is a large part of it built? Give an account of the 
bridge uniting the two parts of the town. What advantage 
has Ipswich which most other towns in the county have not ? 
What is the present condition of the town ? What buildings 
are there in the town ? What schools arc there ? 

Draw the north and east linea of Lynn. The south line. 
West. How is Lynn bounded? Draw the streams in the 
town Mark the places of the ponds. Who were the inhabi- 



40 PAKTICLI.AR VIEW OF 

men. They called tlie place Saugus, and the 
eastern part of it Svvanipscot, which is its pres- 
ent name. Montowanipate, Sagamore of these 
Indians, ruled over both this town and Marble- 
head. On Lynn Beach, which joins Nahant to 
this town, Indians of different tribes used to 
assemble and engage in friendly sports and 
games. They first drew a mark across the 
sand beach and shook hands over it to show 
that they were all friends. They then tried 
with great zeal which should excel in running, 
leaping, shooting, foot bail, and other sports. 
Those who were victorious gained prizes of 
beaver skins, ornaments, or money. At that 
time, foxes, deer, bears, and wolves abounded in^ 
the forests ; and in the Lynn woods, pits then 
dug in the earth to catch wolves, are still to be 
seen. There were also great flocks of wild 
fowls. Pigeons flew over in such numbers that 
they darkened the air. In 1629, some white 
people came to live here among the Indians and 
were kindly received by them. One of them, 

tauts of Lynn a little more than 200 years ago ? What was 
the Indian name of the place ? Hov/ large were the domin- 
ions of Montowampate ? What use did the Indians make of 
Lynn Beach ? How did they begin tlieir games ? What were 
their sports ? What were the rewards of the conquerors ? 
What animals were then numerous in Lynn ? How large 
were the flocks of pi;;;Gons ? Hf.vv were the white people 
received who came to live amunathe Indians in 1629? U(,'w 



ESSEX COUNTY. 41 

named Black William, owned Nahant, which he 
sold and gave away to the white people several 
times over. Lynn anciently contained the land 
now belonging to Lynn, Saugus ,and Lynnfield, 
in Essex County, and to Reading and South 
Reading, in the county of Middlesex. In four 
years from its first settlement Lynn had become 
a town of more importance than Salem, and so 
it for some time continued. 

The town lies on Lynn and Nahant Bays, 
which are only small portions of Massachusetts 
Bay. The waves of the sea sometimes spread 
over a smooth hard beach, sometimes break up- 
on a rocky shore, and towards the west are met 
by an extensive marsh. The principal village 
is built on a broad plain. This is succeeded 
on one side by hills composed of rough rocks 
and sometimes covered with bushes and trees, 
and on the other side by the salt marshes on 
Saugus River and on the seacoast. There is 
a great deal of good land in the town. The 
turnpike. road from Boston to Salem passes 

did they get possession of Nahant ? How large was Lynn at 
first ? Has Salem always been a larger town than this ? 

Howls the town situated? Give some account of the 
seashore. Is the ground on which the chief village is built 
level or hilly ? Describe the surface of the rest of the town- 
ship. What is said of the turnpike road from Boston to 
Salem ? 

c2 



42 PARTICULAR VIEW OP 

through Lynn. In the eastern part of the town 
it crosses a bridge which floats upon the surface 
of a pond, being fastened only at the ends. 

Nahant is the Indian name of a long peninsula 
which projects from Lynn shore directly into 
the sea. First there is a low and narrow neck 
of land, which is rough with stones, but presents, 
when the tide has gone down, a smooth, hard 
beach of sand, one mile and a half long. This 
leads to a tract of land which spreads out to 
some extent and joins on the outer side another 
beach. This beach is finer than the first, but 
is only 90 rods in length. It bends inward from 
the sea like a bow, and terminates in another 
tract of land^ much larger than the first. The 
two tracts greatly resemble islands, and would 
be so were it not for the beaches. The sand 
beach is so hard that a carriage may pass over 
it and leave scarcely a mark from the wheels or 
the hoofs of the horses. On the farther extrem- 
ity of the peninsula a fine building has been 
erected for a hotel. Great numbers of fashion- 
able people from Boston, Salem, and other 

What is Nahant? Give on account of the first beach. Of 
the tract of land at the end of it. Of the second beach. What 
do the two tracts of land resemble ? How hard is the sand- 
beach ? Where has a hotel been built ? What people visit 



ESSEX COUNTY, 43 

towns in the vicinity, visit Nahant in the sultry 
months of summer to enjoy the beautiful ride 
over the beaches, and breathe the cool air which 
generally comes in from the sea, even when it 
is calm in the country. Invalids also sometimes 
spend several weeks here for the improvement 
of their health. Persons travelling for pleasure 
into Massachusetts, from distant parts of the 
country, are eager to see Nahant because they 
have heard of its celebrity. 

Some of the inhabitants of Lynn are employ- 
ed in fishing, some in agriculture, others in 
manufacturing leather, glue, and chocolate. 
Of chocolate great quantities are made. Here 
is also a dye-house in which great quantities of 
cloths and silks are coloured. But the town is 
most famous for the manufacture of women's 
shoes. In this employment almost all the peo- 
ple are engaged. They make one million two 
hundred thousand pairs annually, enough to 
supply every vv^oraan and girl in this county with 
thirty pairs, and all those in the state of Massa- 
chusetts with two pairs each, A newspaper is 

Nahant, and what is their object ? What other persons resort 
tliere ? What mention is made of travellers from distant 
parts of the country? 

How are some of the people of Lynn em.ployed ? For 
■what is the town most known ? How many of the inhabitants 



44 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

published in this place. Lynn contains a bank,, 
an academy, and seven churches. 

Lynnjield. This township of land was grant- 
ed by the General Court to the inhabitants of 
Lynn soon after that town was settled. It was 
formerly called Lynn-End. The inhabitants 
were farmers, and used to attend public worship 
in Lynn, at the church then standing on the 
common. A meeting-house having been built 
here after many years, Lynnfield became the 
second parish in Lynn and so continued 67- 
years, when it was set off as a separate town- 
The main branch of Ipswich River flows along 
the north border of Lynnfield, separating this 
town from Reading in Middlesex County. The 
western boundary is formed chiefly by Saugus 
River, which runs southeasterly between this 
town and South-Reading. The inhabitants are 
generally employed in labouring upon their 
lands, which are not however very productive. 

are engaged in the manufacture of shoes ? How many pairs 
are annually made ? What buildings does the town contain ? 
Draw the north line of Lynnfield. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Mark Humphrey's Pond. 
How did the people of Lynn obtain the land in Lynnfield ? 
What was once the name of this town ? At what place did 
the inhabitants anciently attend publick worship ? How long 
was Lynnfield a parish of Lynn ? What river bounds the 
town on the north ? How is this town separated from South- 
Reading ? Wliat is the business of the inhabitants ? 



ESSEX COUNTV. 45 

Manchester is a very old town, though it does 
not contain a great many inhabitants. It was 
once called Jeffrey's Creek, and formed a part 
of Salem. It is situated on the north side of 
Massachusetts Bay ; and the town is built close 
down upon the head of Manchester Harbour. 
The surface of the township is rocky and une- 
ven, and is covered in manj places with exten- 
sive woods. These abound in snakes, and are 
celebrated for producing the magnolia, a low 
tree bearing many beautiful and sweet-scented 
flowers. This tree is rarely found in Massa- 
chusetts. A number of vessels are sent out from 
this place to engage in the fisheries. The fish 
are brought home and sold. The business of 
making cabinet furniture is carried on here with 
great activity. There is some valuable machine- 
ry for sawing out veneers. Veneers are very 
thin strips of mahogany or other fine wood, with 
Vvhich the outside of some pieces of furniture, 
such as bureaus and sideboards, is covered, so 
that although the main part is of some cheap 

Draw the north line of Manchester. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? What can you say of 
the age and population of r>Ianc]]ester ? To what town did it 
once^belong 1 Wiiat is its situation 'I (jive an account of 
thvi surface of the town ? What do the woods produce 1 Is 
the magnolia common in tliis state ? Wliat Ijusiness is pur- 
sued by means of vessels 1 Vv'hat otlier business is cavriod 

c4 



i() 



PARTICULAR VIEW OF 



wood, the whole appears to be of an elegant and 
costly kind. For the best veneers mahogany 
1 inch thick is divided into 7 or 3 thicknesses, 
but for common furniture into many more. 
Marhlehcad was once inhabited by Indians, 
who paid obedience to the Sagamore of the 
Saugus or Lynn Indians. The first white peo- 
ple who came here to live thought there were 
great rocks of marble in the place ; they called 
it therefore Marble- Harbour, and afterwards 
Marblehead. They formed a settlement here very 
early, and soon after that at Salem had been es- 
tablished. They were chiefly fishermen, with 
some traders, and so have been their descen- 
dants. Some lands were once reserved here 
for a college, but after the establishment of one 
at Cambridge, the design was abandoned. A 
few years before the Revolution Marblehead 
was a very flourishing town. It paid the great- 
est tax, and was thought to contain the most 
inhabitants of any town in Massachusetts, ex- 

on here ? What are veneers 1 Into how many thicknesses is 
mahogany an inch thick divided ? 

Draw the north line of Marblehead? The east. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Mark Tinker's Island. 
What people once lived in Marblehead ? Why was it called 
Marble-Harbour ? How early was this town settled 1 What 
was the business of the settlers ? What institution was 
thought of fcr this place ? What was the condition of the 



ESSEX COUNTY. 47 

cept Boston. During the Revolution three 
lads belonging to this place were put as prison- 
ers on board of an English vessel at duebec to 
be carried to England ; after being a few days 
at sea they took the vessel away from the officers 
and crew and brought her to Marblehead. The 
people of the town bore their part cheerfully in 
the losses and expenses of the war of the Revo- 
lution. They offered the merchants of Boston 
their buildings and wharves, when the latter 
were not permitted by the English to make use of 
their own. They furnished an entire regiment 
for the publick service the first year of the Rev- 
olution. The war put a stop to the fisheries, 
and a great many were killed in it who were 
once fishermen. Those who outlived the war 
were in great poverty and distress, especially 
the widows and children of those who had been 
killed. Business afterwards revived. But the 
town again suffered severely by the late war. 
Marblehead is more than three miles long 



town just before the Revolution ? What bold deed was done 
by three boys ? What was the conduct of the people of Mar- 
blehead in the Revolution '( What offer did they make to 
the merchants of Boston ? What did they do the first year 
of the war ? How did the war eftect the fisheries ? In what 
state did it leave the inhabitants. What other evil has 
Jiapoenod to the town ? 

What is the extent of Marbleliead ? How is the town sit- 



48 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

and between one and two in breadth. It reaches 
so far out into Massachusetts Bay that the in- 
habitants are very much by themselves; and 
the people of the vicinity are never obliged to 
travel through this town to arrive at any other. 
The township has a hilly surface, abounding in 
a remarkable degree with rocks, which are of- 
ten bare, but sometimes partly covered with a 
thin soil. The harbour, which is of good depth 
and well defended by a strong fort^ is formed 
by a very narrow neck of land and a wider 
tract to which this neck leads. Great pains 
were once taken and much money laid out tc«! 
prevent the neck from being washed away by^ 
the sea, which was very much feared. 

This town is celebrated for its fisheries, far 
more so indeed than any other town in the Uni- 
ted States. A great many vessels sail away 
twice every year to a place in the ocean called 
the Grand Bank of Newfoundland. Here the 
ground at the bottom of the ocean in some pla- 
ces comes near the top of the water, like the 
summit of a great mountain in the sea. Im- 

uated 1 Is the surface of the town smooth or is it rough ?' 
Give an account of the harbour. What misfortune has been 
feared I 

How is this town distinguished? Where do the vessels of 
this town go every year ? Give some account of tlie place V 



ESSEX COUNTY. 49 

mense multitudes of cod-fishes swim to this 
place every year to eat the small fishes and 
worms, which swarm on the sand banks, and of 
which they are very fond. The fisherman lets 
down his line very deep with a lead at the end 
to sink it and a hook baited with a piece of 
mackerel or other fish and, sometimes, even 
with a part of the cod fish. The fishes take 
the bait very greedily as quick as it comes 
down, and a good fisherman can catch two or 
three hundred in a day. It is very hard and 
severe labour to pull up from so deep a place so 
many heavy fishes, which are often a yard long 
or longer. It is very cold there also, and the 
men are wet a great deal of the time. They all 
catch the fish as fast as they can, till they have 
taken a large number ; they then stop, and split 
them open and clean them, and stow them away 
in the vessel in layers, with salt between the 
tiers. When a vessel has stayed on the bank 
till it has as many on board as it can bring, 
it returns home. The cod-fishes are so numer- 
ous, that though there are hundreds and hund- 
reds of vessels from America and from other 



What fishes are found here ? How are they caught ? When 
a considerable quantity are caught, what is done with them ? 
How numerous are these fishes ? When a vessel returns, 



50 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

countries, each of which carries away twenty 
or thirty thousand or even more every year, still 
there are as many as ever. Their young ones 
are so numerous that each pair has several mil- 
lions. When a fishing vessel has arrived with 
her cargo, the fish are taken out and spread 
upon fish-flakes to dry. Fish-flakes are made 
of faggots, or brush wood, spread upon poles, 
which are laid straight along about three feet 
from the ground upon stakes. They cover a 
considerable extent of land in Marblehead. 
When the fish are dry, they are called salt fish, 
and are put into stores. Once they were all or 
nearly all carried away in vessels to distant 
countries and there sold ; now the sale of them 
depends chiefly on the use of fish in the back 
country. A few of the people of Marblehead 
cultivate the land, and some are traders ; but 
far the greater part find their support in the 
fishing business, which now for their misfor- 
tune yields but a slender profit. After the 
hard labour of fishing is over for the season, the 
fishermen spend their winters very pleasantly at 
home. A small commerce only now belongs to 

what is to be done with the fish ? What are fish-flakes ? 
What becomes of the fish after they are dried ? How are 
the people of Marblehead employed ? What is said of the 



ESSEX COUNTY. 51 

the place, and that is chiefly carried on from 
Boston and other ports. The town is the fourth 
in Essex County, in the number and size of 
its vessels taken together. 

Marblehead is large and compactly built, but 
the streets are crooked and irregular. Several 
private houses, the new stone church, and the 
custom-house are highly ornamental to the town- 
In addition to the free schools of the place, an 
Academy and private schools are supported by 
individuals. Here are two manufactories of 
cordage, and one of twine and lines. There 
are also five churches, and a printing press is- 
suing a weekly newspaper. 

Methuen once belonged in part to Haverhill. 
The portion taken from Haverhill was bought of 
the Indians together with the rest of that town 
for 15 or 16 dollars. The country has a poor 
appearance near the Merrimack, but improves 

commerce of the place ? Of its importance as to the number 
and size of it|S vessels. 

How is the town built ? What buildings are particularly 
mentioned ? What is done here for the education of chil- 
dren ? What manufactories are there in the place ? What 
number of churches is there. 

Draw the north line of Methuen. The east line. South. 
West. How is tlie town bounded ? Draw Spicket River, 
Draw the other streams in the town. Mark the places of 
the ponds. What is the history of a part of Methuen ? What 
is the appearance of the land in the town ? Is the surface 



52 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

very much at a greater distance from the river. 
The surface of the township is uneven, and pre- 
sents some very elevated land. The church of 
the first society stands on the top of a high hill 
which commands an extensive and beautiful 
prospect. The Merrimack flows in a northeas- 
terly course along the border of the town, separ- 
ating it from Andover. Spicket River, a fine 
stream from New-Hampshire, runs across Me- 
thuen and falls into the Merrimack nearly oppo- 
site the mouth of the Shawshine. In its course 
through the town it suddenly pitches about 
thirty feet over steep and rough rocks. The 
view of the falls is lively and agreeable. The 
Spicket furnishes water power of great impor- 
tance ; and it has been so well used as to make 
Methuen a considerable manufacturing town. 
There is one cotton factory here of five stories 
in height. The people however are generally 
farmers. 

Middleton. It is 102 years since Middleton 
became a town. It was formed of the united 

uneven or level 1 What place is particularly mentioned t 
What is the course of the Merrimack ? Of Spicket River ? 
Describe the falls of the Spicket? What use is made of the 
falls ? What is the chief business of the people ? 

Draw the north line of Middleton. The east line. South. 
West. How is Middleton bounded 1 Draw the streams run- 



ESSEX COUNTY. 53 

corners of several of the neighbouring towns. 
Three small streams run from this town into 
the main branch of Ipswich River, which passes 
for some distance through Middleton and along 
its borders. There are several ponds in the 
town, which discharge themselves by small mill 
streams into Ipswich River. Hills and valleys, 
often succeeding each other, vary the surface of 
the township. The land is not naturally very 
fruitful, and requires good management and great 
industry to render it productive. The inhabi- 
tants labour upon their lands and live scattered 
over the town in small neighbourhoods ; and 
there is no large village in the place. 

Nnchm-y. At the falls of the river in this 
town, there was once a famous settlement of 
Indians, who collected at that place on account 
of the great abundance of fish found there at 
almost all seasons of the year. The Indian 

ning across the town into Ipswich River. How old is the 
town of Middleton ? Of what lands was it composed 1 What 
streams are mentioned ? Where do the waters of the ponds 
flow ? Is the surface of the township smooth or uneven ? 
What is the quality of the land ? How are the people em- 
ployed ? Do they live in a thick settled village, or are they 
scattered ? 

Draw the north line of Newbury. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Draw Parker River. 
Draw Little River. What inhabitants once lived at the falls 
in Newbury, and why did they choose that place ? Whatwas 



54 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

name of the place was Quascacunquen. The 
inhabitants of Ipswich increased so fast in num- 
bers after it became a town, that within a year, 
or 195 years ago, many of the principal people 
removed to this place. Sixty years after, the 
Indians attacked the town, and took all of one 
family prisoners except a girl, who ran away to 
some houses standing where Newburyport now 
stands. Captain Greenleaf chased the Indians 
and took their prisoners from them. When 
Captain Greenleaf came upon them, the savages 
tried to kill the captives, and wounded them so 
severely with their tomahawks that they all died 
except a boy, who only received a gash in the 
shoulder. This town once contained West- 
Newbury and Newburyport. 

The land in this town is generally good, and 
well rewards the industry of the farmers by its 
fine crops. Near the Merrimack the soil is ex- 
cellent, and is also remarkably well cultivated. 
An extensive salt marsh spreads out on both 
sides of Parker River, and over the eastern part 
of the town ; it produces large quantities of salt 

Newbury called by the Indians ? From what place did the 
first settlers of this town come ? What happened sixty years 
after the settlement ? Wliat was done by Captain Greenleaf? 
Of what cruelty were the Indians guilty? How large has 
this town ever been ? « 

Is the land in Newbury barren or fruitful ? What mention 



ESSEX COUNTY. 55 

grass. Parker River, in the distance of one mile 
and a half, falls nearly 50 feet. There are mills 
at the upper falls, and at the lower falls stands 
the first woollen factory ever built in Massachu- 
setts. Vessels can pass up Parker River three 
and a half miles above Plum-Island Sound. 
Marble has been found in the town of various 
beautiful colours. In the same neighbourhood 
with the marble is a quarry of limestone. A 
great deal of lime was once made here, and the 
excavation dug for the purpose of procuring the 
limestone is called the Devil's Den. Interest- 
ing specimens of minerals are found here, es- 
pecially asbestos. Cloth is sometimes made of 
asbestos, which will not burn in the hottest fire. 
A part of Newbury is so built as directly to join 
Newburyport, and some fine buildings in this 
town give beauty to that. In the parish of 
Belleville, in this town, is a church belonging to 
a small society of Friends or Quakers. The 

is made of the soil near the Merrimack 1 Give some account 
of the banks of Parker River and of the east end of the town ? 
How great is the fall of Parker River in this town ? What 
buildings are there at the falls ? How far can vessels ascend 
Parker River ] What valuable kind of stone has been found 
here ? What quarry ? What use was once made of the lime- 
stone quarry ? What kind of a mineral is asbestos ? What 
^vantage does Wewburyport gain from the nearness of a 
part of Newbury ? What religious society in this town is 
mentioned ? What kinds of business are extensively pursued 

D 



56 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

town has long contained several manufactories, 
producing cordage every year to a large amount. 
Chaise-making and the tanning business are 
also carried on to a considerable extent. Dum- 
mer Academy in this town was in operation 
long before any other school of the kind in the 
state. It has been a very celebrated seminary 
and many eminent men have attended this school 
when they were boys. It received its name in 
honour of Lieutenant Governor Dummer, who 
established it and gave a large and valuable farm 
for its support. 

Plum-Island lies east of Newbury, Rowley, 
and Ipswich, and reaches from the mouth of the 
Merrimack to the mouth of Ipswich River. It 
is nine miles long, and nearly a mile across. 
This island looks very strangely as a person ap- 
proaches it, and when he is upon it. He sees 
heaps, hollows, and plains of yellowish sand 
which is drifted by the wind into all kinds of 
curious shapes, generally much resembling snow 
banks. Scattered over the sand grow abund- 
ance of bushes bearing great quantities of plums, 

in this town ? What account can you give of Dummer Acad- 
emy ? For -whom was it named, and why ? 

W here is Plum-Island ? How large is it ? What is its ap- 
peai-ance to a person near it or upon it? What fruit grows 



ESSEX COUNTY. 57 

which are very good, and nearly as large as 
cherries. In the autumn when the plums are 
ripe, numerous pleasure parties pass over in 
boats from the neighbouring towns, and some 
over the bridge not far from Newburyport. 
There is a hotel on the island, but it does not 
receive much company. The west side of the 
island is bordered by salt meadows. The eas- 
tern side is entirely exposed to the sea, and in 
storms vessels are sometimes driven up high on 
the shore. A few years ago there was a vessel 
here that had been lodged almost in the middle of 
the island ; it was bedded half its depth in the 
sand, which was as deep in the inside of the 
vessel as it was on the outside. On the north- 
ern end o the island there are two lighthouses, 
at the tops of which lights are kept burning in 
the night to show sailors their way over New- 
buryport bar, at the mouth of Merrimack River 
About half of Plum-Island belongs to Newbury, 
and the rest to Rowley and Ipswich. 

here ? What happens here in autumn 1 Give some account 
of the west and east sides of Plum-[sland. Mention the fate 
of one vessel. What is the use of the lighthouses at the 
north end of the island ? To what towns does Plum-Island 
belong ? 



58 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

Newburyport was once the port of Newbury, 
or the place to which the vessels belonging to 
that town came up ; and here the merchants, 
traders, and mechanics lived, while the rest of 
the people were farmers. It became a separate 
town 66 years ago, having continued to be a 
part of Newbury for 120 years after it was first 
laid out for a new settlement. For many years 
the town was rapidly enriched by a prosperous 
commerce with the West-Indies, and other parts 
of the world. At length its trade was lessened and 
permanently hurt, because for a long time the 
owners of vessels were not allowed by govern- 
ment to send them away at what time and to what 
place they chose. To increase the evil, a great fire 
in 1811 burnt down a large portion of the town. 
It broke out in that part where the business of 
the place was chiefly done, and spread swiftly 
and furiously over the most valuable portion of 
Newburyport, destroying great quantities' of 
goods, with nearly 250 buildings, and among 
them almost all the dry-goods stores, one church, 

Draw the nortli line of Newburyport. The east and south 
lines. The west line. How is the town bounded ? To 
what tov/n did Kewburyport once belong 1 What were the 
employments of the people in the two pai-ts of the town ? 
How long has it been a separate town ? How did the town 
grow rich ? How was its trade hurt ? What other misfortune 
happened to the town ? Describe the fire. What was done 



ITSSEX COUNTY. 59 

and the custom-house. The^fire was raging on 
both sides of one of the principal streets at the 
same time. The rising flames met together 
over the street, forming a broad fiery arch, 
through which the spectators could see] for a 
great distance. Muchjtindness was shown to 
the sufferers by the inhabitants of other towns, 
and Boston collected and gave to them twenty- 
four thousand dollars. Soon after the terrible 
calamity by the fire, the war with ^England 
completely destroyed for the time the commerce 
and business of the place. 

Newburyport is on the south side of the Mer- 
rimack, three miles from its mouth. It has the 
town of Newbury on three sides and is bound- 
ed on the other side by the river. It is the 
smallest township in Massachusetts and contains 
only 647 acres. The town is finely situated on 
the side of a low hill, sloping gently to the Mer- 
rimack. The harbour, though large and safe, 
unfortunately cannot be easily entered on ac- 
count of a shifting bar of sand at the mouth of 
the river. It stands next to Salem in Essex 

to assist the inhabitants ? What new evil soon fell upon the 
town 1 

How is Newburyport situated ? How is it bounded ? How 
large is the township ? Where is the town built ? Give some 
account of tlie harbour. What is the importance of the 

d2 



60 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

County in the number and size of its vessels. 
For many years the town took a part in 
the cod fishery, but within a few years it has 
entered with spirit into both the mackerel and 
cod fisheries, and has derived important advan- 
tage from the business. This business has been 
increasing while the commerce of the town, or 
its trade with distant places, has been lessening. 
Besides the injuries this once flourishing town 
has suffered from other causes, it has mainly 
lost the natural advantages of its situation at the 
mouth of a large river by the opening of the 
Middlesex Canal, which furnishes a conveyance 
to Boston for the chief part of the exported 
produce of the valley of the Merrimack. 

As Newburyport enjoys a fine natural situa- 
tion, so it is beautifully built ; the streets are 
generally wide and straight, and bordered with 
neat, and in very many cases with elegant, build- 
ings. High Street, on the summit of the ris- 
ing ground on which the town is built, is par- 
ticularly beautiful. In the lower part of the 
town, are numerous stores, which supply with 

town as to the number and size of its vessels ? Give some 
account of the fisheries of Newburyport. How has the 
town lost the advantages of its natural situation ? 

Give an account of the way in which the town is built. 
What buildings aie there in the lower part of Newburyport 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



61 



goods the inhabitants of Newburyport and its 
vicinity. There are many large buildings and 
some containing five or six separate stores. 
Many wharves are built out from the shore into 
the stream, and receive cargoes of goods from 
vessels or for them as they lie at their sides. 
There are generally some vessels lying in the 
stream or at the wharves. Boots and shoes, 
hats and cigars, are extensively manufactured 
in the place. Here is also a hose manufactory, 
in connexion with which 30 or 40 persons are 
employed in weaving socks or stockings or in 
sewing them up after they are woven. New- 
buryport is one of the three shire towns of Essex 
County, and contains a brick court house and 
market house, a stone jail, seven churches, and a 
printing press issuing a semi-weekly newspa- 
per. A great number of persons pass through 
the town on their way from Boston, Salem, 
Portsmouth, and other places. A beautiful but 
very singular bridge unites the parts of the great 
eastern road on the opposite banks of the Mer- 
rimack, and connects this town with Salisbury ; 
i t is hung upon four sets of large chains, the 

near the river ? What is the use of the wharves ? What arti- 
cles are manufactured in the place ? What manuftictory is 
there here? What account can vou sjive of Newburyport and 
of what it contains ? How is Salisbury connected with INew- 

d3 



62 PARTICULAR VIEW OP 

ends of which are secured in four piers of stone 
in the bed of the river. The Newburyport 
Turnpike was built 24 years ago at the enor- 
mous expense of four hundred and twenty thou- 
sand dollars. It is very straight, and leads di- 
rectly to Maiden Bridge, near Boston, but trav- 
ellers prefer passing through Ipswich and Sa- 
lem over the old road, which is not much farth- 
er. Newburyport Academy is in Newbury, 
but was established and has been supported 
chiefly by the citizens of Newburyport. Fifty- 
thousand dollars have been given by will, by a 
gentleman of the name of Putnam, for the es- 
tablishment of a high school in Newburyport j 
this will probably be of great advantage to the 
town. 

Rowley is a very old town. It was named 
after Rowley in England in honour of the Rev. 
Mr. Rogers minister of that place, who came 
over with about twenty worthy families and set- 
tled in this town. The strangers bought some 

buryport ? What is said of Newburyport Turnpike ? What 
mention is made of Newburyport Academy ? What has been 
done for the town by Mr. Putnam ? 

Draw the north line of Rowley. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Draw Rowley and Pai-- 
ker Rivers. Mark the places of ponds in the towsj. Mark 
the situation of Bald Pate. Is Rowley an old or new town ? 
From what place did the first settlers come ? From what 



ESSEX COUNTY. G3 

farms also of people belonging to Newbury and 
Ipswich, that they might have more room in 
their tflwn. They employed their children in spin- 
ning cotton , while they themselves made cloth, 
which was the first ever manufactured in the 
country. The most easterly part of the town 
consists of broad tracts of marsh-land, yielding 
great quantities of salt grass. The people of 
the upper part of the town go down every year 
to make the salt grass into hay, and then carry 
it home. The western part of the township 
contains some very high land. This high land 
was once thought of as a place for the theologi- 
-cal school, which is now established at Andover. 
The chief summit of this high ground is called 
Bald Pate, and is the loftiest land in the county 
of Essex. It is easily ascended, and presents a 
fine view of the valley of Merrimack River, of 
Haverhill, and other villages, and of much of 
the surrounding country. The western part of 
the town forms a separate parish, and is called 
New-Rowley, where some business and several 

towns were farms taken and added to Rowley ? What was 
the business of the children and older people ? What kind of 
land is there in the eastern part of the town ? What use is 
made of it ? In what part of the town is there very high 
land ? What use was once designed to have been made of 
tliis land ? What is the name of the chiv^f heii^ht ? What 
.view is there from its top ? What is the name of the western 

d4 



64 PARTICULAR VIEW OP 

trades are carried on. The houses in the east 
parish of the town, called Old Rowley, are placed 
round a level common with three sides. Here 
vessels are sometimes built at a considerable 
distance from the river, to which when finished 
they are drawn. The business of tanning leath- 
er is carried on in both parts of the town, and 
shoes are made in great numbers and sent to 
Salem and other places to be sold. The reo-ion 
abounds in pear trees, which are as numer- 
ous as apple trees are in many other towns. 

Salem. This is the oldest town in the County 
of Essex, and the oldest in the State of Massa- 
chusetts, except Plymouth. In 1626 the first 
white settlers came to this place, having desert* 
ed an earlier settlement at Gloucester. ° But in 
two years after there came over from England 
a hundred persons with Governor Endicott; 
these made the settlement sure and lasting,' 
which might otherwise have soon been aban- 
doned. The Ind ians called the place Naum- 

KvW 5\VT t • ^^^ifS^^ situation of ilT village of"5id 
Ko.viey ? V/hat can be done with vessels built at a distance 
from the water ? What kinds of business are carried on in 
the to^yn ? vVjiat trees abound in Rowley ? 
vJi^t"^ u"" ""^'^i }''''' ,^^ ^^^^^"- ^^'^ east line. South. 
town SZ ? ^"^T T^'t^ ■ ^'•^^ '^'^ '''^^^- i" the 
nlv'p H-5 .^ Spring Pond. Hoav old is Salem ? From what 

mPn? f ? .1 ''* 7^'^^. '^"'^'^ ^<^™« '■ K«w ^^asthe settle- 
ment strengthened and made lasting? Give some account 



ESSEX COUNT r. 65 

keag ; the white people named it Salem, the 
meaning of which is Peace. While those that 
arrived with Governor Endicott were still weak 
and weary with their voyage, there was an 
alarm that a thousand Indians from Saugus, now 
Lynn, were coming upon them. Immediately 
they loaded three pieces of cannon, carried them 
into the woods, and fired them off upon hearing 
the noise of the Indians, who were so terrified 
that they fled back with great outcries. No 
Indians, or scarcely any, were living in this 
place when the white people came ; they hav- 
ing been destroyed a few years before by a great 
sickness or plague. They once had a town in 
North-Salem, and a few of their graves have 
been found in Salem in different places, where 
they probably stayed for a time to fish. In 
1829, as some labourers were slightly excavat- 
ing the ground near the lead factory in South- 
Salem, they met with several graves each con- 
taining three or four Indians. They lay on 
their right sides, facing the east, with their 
knees bent up towards their breast. The town 

of the names of the town ? What happened soon after Gov- 
ernour Endicott arrived? What had become of the Indians 
wlio once lived in the place ? Where was the Indian town ? 
What remains of the Indians have been discovered ? What 



66 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

at the time of its settlement wore a very different 
appearance from that which we now see. Instead 
of streets of crowded buildings, fine gardens, 
and fields with a few trees, the country was 
covered with one great forest, except a few spots 
cleared by the Indians. Even the islands in 
the harbour were then shaded by trees. For a 
time Salem increased slowly ; Ipswich and 
Lynn were soon before it in importance. But 
in fourteen or fifteen years from the first land- 
ing of the settlers Salem had begun the fisheries 
with success, had left all other towns behind in 
commerce, and was so flourishing as to be spo- 
ken of as a proper place for the seat of govern- 
ment. It was a very large township in 1637, 
and contained Danvers, Beverly, Manchester, 
and Wenham, and part of Lynn, Middleton, 
Topsfield, and Marblehead. Of the present 
town the part on North-River was first settled. 
The strip of land running out into the harbour, 
now called the Neck, once contained a great 
many houses and stores. Afterwards business 
passed up South River, and there it has princi- 
pally remained. 

was the appearance of Salem at its settlement? Was the in- 
crease of the town rapid or slow at first ? What was its situ- 
ation in a few years ? How large has it ever been ? What part 
of the town was first settled 'i In what part has the business 
been ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 67 

In 1692 Salem suffered vast injury, and its 
inhabitants frightful alarm and distress on ac- 
count of the belief in the existence of witches, 
and of the accusation, trial, imprisonment, and 
execution of suspected persons, who were really 
innocent. From Danvers, then called Salem- 
Village, where the madness began, it easily 
passed into Salem. Children, and Indians, and 
weak-minded women, accused people of witch- 
craft, and were believed. Every one was liable 
to be brought before the court, tried and exe- 
cuted, and no one felt safe. Dismay was in 
every heart and in every face. The frenzy at 
length went down, but not before it had depriv- 
ed Salem of one quarter of its population, all 
within a year. 

A short time before the American Revolution, 
the British government prevented any vessel 
from going into or out of the harbour of Boston, 
because the town had been very independent, 
and had offended that government. Some sup- 
posed that Salem would embrace the opportunity 
of drawing away the trade of that great com- 

What was the calamity of 1692 ? From what town did it 
spread into Salem ? What were the feelings of the people ? 
What injury did Salem receive ? 

Wliy did the British Government stop the commerce of 
Boston ? What did some persons suppose might be done by 



h** PAUriCULAR ViEW OF 

mercial place ; but in an address to tlie British 
Governor, they declared that they scorned the 
thought of rising themselves by the downfall of 
their unfortunate neighbours. The first year of 
the war, but before any battle was fought, a 
British lieutenant-colonel and 140 soldiers were 
sent from Boston to Salem, to sieze some can- 
non which were said to be in the place. Hav- 
ing arrived at Salem, they found the cannon 
had been removed, and they marched to north 
bridge in pursuit of them. Many people had 
collected there, and Col. Pickering with thirty 
or forty men, had hoisted the bridge, and was 
standing on the opposite side. Col. Leslie 
ordered the bridge to be lowered. It was refus- 
ed. The soldiers were then on the point of 
crossing the river in a gondola which was lying 
on the shore, but the Americans leaped into it 
and cut holes through the bottom with their 
axes. The British officer stayed at the bridge 
an hour and a half. At last, evening coming 
on, he found it useless to wait longer and prom- 
ised, that if the bridge were lowered he would 
march only a few rods beyond it, and return. 

Salem ? What did the inhabitants say ? For what purpose 
did British soldiers come to this town? Where did they go 
when they could not find ,the cannon ? Whom did they 
find at the bridge ? What took place there ? How did the 
affair end ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 69 

The bridge was then let down. The soldiers 
passed just beyond it, and immediately went 
back without gaining their object. 

In the last war, which began 18 years since, 
the commerce of Salem was interrupted and all 
business stood still. Numerous vessels lay in 
North and South Rivers, stripped of their sails, 
rigging, and spars, because they could not go to 
sea without danger of being taken by the enemy. 
Some were fitted for privateers, and setting sail 
made prizes of whatever British vessels they 
could find and conquer. A few of the inhabi- 
tants in this way increased their money in the 
war, but the citizens generally were great suf- 
ferers. Labourers, traders, and mechanics found 
slender means of support. British ships of war 
could often be seen from the town, and some- 
times in the act of burning American vessels. 
It was feared and expected that an attack would 
be made on the town, and soldiers be landed on 
the shore to take it. The inhabitants furnished 
themselves with arms and became soldiers. 
Alarms were given once or twice and the militia 
collected, but no enemy appeared. 

What was the effect of the last war ? What was the situa- 
tion of the vessels ? What was done with some of them ? 
Were the people benefited or injured by the war ? ^Vhat 
fears were felt, and why were they felt ? What was done by 
the inhabitants. 



70 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

The peninsula on which the most thickly 
settled part of the town is built, is washed on 
each side by a salt-water stream, rising and 
falling every twelve hours by the flowing and 
ebbing of the tide. The land lies low and is 
nearly level, scarcely any place being more than 
20 or 24 feet above the surface of the water at 
high tide. The soil is generally light, dry, and 
sandy, and free from standing water. Wells 
are numerous and afford pure water. But at 
least one thousand families are supplied with 
water by an aqueduct, which conveys it in 
pipes from a collection formed by living springs 
in the western end of the town. The pipes are 
logs bored through and laid under ground with 
their ends joined together, so that water will 
pass from one into another. There are 20 or 25 
miles of logs laid for pipes, and they extend into 
nearly all the streets in town. The lower or 
eastern part of the peninsula is called the Neck, 
and has now but few houses upon it. Here 
upon a farm owned by the town is a large alms- 
house of brick, in which poor people, unable to 

How is the most thickly settled part of the to^vn situated ? 
Is the land level or uneven ? Describe the soil. How are 
the people supplied with water ? What are the pipes ? How 
extensively ai-e the logs laid ? Where is the Neck ? What 
building is there upon it ? How many paupers are there 



ESSEX COUNTY. 71 

maintain themselves, are supported at the public 
expense. There are generally two or three 
hundred paupers in the almshouse. Those who 
are able are made to work ; the weak and sick 
are well treated. The paupers cultivate the 
farm by their labour, blow rocks for cellar-walls 
from a quarry upon the farm, manufacture 
brooms, mats, and many other articles for sale, 
and earn in this way a great part of their living. 
This was one of the first institutions of the kind 
in this country ; it has been exceedingly well 
managed, and is much celebrated. There is a 
fort on the Neck and one on Winter-Island 
which joins the Neck by a causeway. They 
are not now in good order, but in time of war 
they are guarded by soldiers and have cannon in 
them ready to be fired upon an enemy. There 
are many islands in Salem Harbour, most of 
them small and rocky, but others larger and 
having some soil. The largest of them, the 
Misery, has been used for a pasture, the animals 
being carried there and brought off in boats or 
vessels. Baker's Island has a dwellinghouse 
upon it and two high but slender buildings, 

generally ? What are the employments of those able to 
work ? Was this institution begun early ? Give an account 
of the two forts. What other parts of the town are there 
besides the peninsula ? What use has been made of the 



72 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

called lighthouses. Each of these has a large 
glass top, in which every night great lamps are 
lighted, that are seen far off in the bay and put 
vessels on their guard. Besides the body of the 
town lying between the two rivers, there is a 
considerable village on the opposite side of each 
of these streams. One, called North-Salem, is 
connected with the town by north bridge. It 
was settled early and was prosperous while Sa- 
lem carried on the fishery, but is now less flour- 
ishing and popular than the other parts of the 
town. Here is a laboratory, in which alum, 
Roman vitriol, oil vitriol, and aquafortis are 
manufactured, and saltpetre is refined. The 
people of the other village, called South-Salem, 
pass easily into and out of the town over the 
river, by means of a draw-bridge and another 
bridge, which serves also as a dam for a grist- 
mill, a chocolate-mill, and a saw-mill. This 
part of the town is pleasant and increasing. 
Large vessels were formerly built here in great 
numbers for the merchants of the town, but a 
few only are now built. White lead is manu- 

islands ? Describe the former and present situation of North- 
Salem. What building is there in the place ? What means 
have the people of South-Salem of passing the river ? Wlint 
is said of ship-building ? What article is manuiactuied in 
South-Saiem ? 



, ESSEX COUNTY. 73 

factured in South-Salem at two factories, which 
have been lately erected. 

The main body of the town lying between 
North and South Rivers is built very compactly. 
Essex Street passes through the whole extent of 
this part of the town, generally from west to 
east, but frequently in some degree shifting its 
direction. It contains the residences of many 
of the principal inhabitants, the stores for dry 
goods, most of the banks and insurance offices, 
and a few of the churches. There are other 
streets running nearly parallel with Essex 
Street ; of these Chesnut Street, on the south 
side of it, is the most beautiful, as it is indeed the 
most elegant in town. There are numerous 
cross streets opening a communication from one 
side of the town to the other, and to the 
wharves. These streets are filled with buildings 
generally neat and at times of great beauty, 
particularly some in the vicinity of the Common. 
Within a few years much money has been ex- 
pended by the town with good effect in render- 
ing the streets more convenient for carriages, 

Are the houses in the middle of the town built closely to- 
gether or apart from each other ? What mention is made ot 
Essex street? Of Chesnut street? Give an account of the 
cross streets. What improvements have been made by the 



74 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

and the side-walks for foot passengers. The 
military companies parade on a large, level, and 
beautiful tract of land, called the Common, 
which is neatly fenced, and surrounded by a 
double row of trees. One regiment and two or 
three companies of soldiers form the military 
force of Salem. The town contains 16 church- 
es, 6 banks and 6 insurance offices, a jail 
of stone, a court house, theatre, and market- 
house, all of brick, and a select athenceum or li- 
brary with six thousand volumes. Three news- 
papers are published in Salem, one weekly, the 
others twice every week. The Salem papers 
circulate in every part of the county. There 
are several factories here for making lines and 
twine, and a greater number for the manufac- 
ture of cordage. Besides these, the mechanics, 
who labour at the different trades, form a Mge 
body of the citizens. 

The inhabitants of Salem are so much and 
so honourably concerned for the education of 
tiie children of the town, that besides a large 
number of private schools supported at great 

town ? Where do the military companies parade ? What 
buildings does the town contain 1 How many newspapers 
are published and how far do they circulate ? What manu- 
factures are mentioned ? What class of people are me- 
chanics ? 

How much are the people of Salem interested in regard 



ESSEX COUNTY. "^^ 

cost, one quarter of all the expenses of the 
town, or nearly nine thousand dollars, is paid 
for public schools. These schools continue 
open all the year round, and any parent has a 
ricrht to send his children to them without ex- 
pe^nse for instruction. The children are taught 
reading, spelling, writing, arithmetick, and 
geography. The High School also receives 
without charge the boys of the town. It is de- 
signed to prepare them for merchants, or tor 
any active business, requiring an acquaintance 
with the higher branches of an English educa- 
tion, and particularly mathematics. This school 
has been begun only a few years, but has thus 
far accomplished the wishes of those who plan- 
ned it, and has gained the favour of the people. 
In the Grammar School boys are taught Latin, 
Greek and Mathematics, and are fitted for 
colleo-e free of expense. Many pupils educated 
at this school have been admitted at College 
with great praise for their good scholarship and 
credit to their teac hers. 

t'o schools 1 On wh'^rms can pleats sei^dlh^r children 
to school? What branches of education are he children 
taucTht? What account can you give of the High School . 
How well has it succeeded ! What education do boys re- 
ce^7e Ttthe Grammar School ? How have the boys been re- 
ceived at College ? 



76 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

Salem has gained its large population and its 
wealth chiefly by commerce. From east to 
west along the southern shore of the town 
wharves have been built out into the stream ; and 
there are many also in South-Salem and some 
on the North River. They are less fully occupied 
than formerly with goods taken from vessels ly- 
ing at their sides, or ready to be put on board 
of them ; still the principal wharves are now 
extensively used. To the district of Salem and 
Beverly, but nearly all to Salem, belong about 
forty ships and barks, eighty-five brigs, and 
ninety schooners and sloops ; in all more than 
two hundred vessels. In the number and size 
of its vessels taken together, or its tonnage, Sa- 
lem is the third town in Massachusetts and by 
far the first in Essex County. A great many of 
the people of the town are absent at sea in these 
vessels the chief part of their time. Some 
stay from home only two or three months at 
one time, others stay a year, and some even two 
or three years. After so long an absence, they 
and their friends at home rejoice at their return. 
Many die away from their homes in distant 

To what does Salem owe its size and wealth ? Where are 
the wharves built ? For what are they used ? What number 
of vessels belongs to the district of Salem and Beverly ? 
How long are sailors absent from home ? Why do not their 



ESSEX COUNTY. ^^ 

places, especially when they go to Havana, Ba- 
tavia, and other unhealthy places, at the hot 
season of the year. It is therefore much against 
the wishes of their friends that they engage in 
such voyages. While at sea on long voyages 
they are obliged to live chiefly on salt beef and 
biscuits baked very hard, called ship-bread ; 
fresh meat could be kept but a short time, and 
soft bread would very soon mould if brought 
from home, and could not with any conveni- 
ence be baked on board. The life of a sailor 
is a very hard one. Some times in a great 
storm he is swallowed up with the vessel by the 
sea ; at other times vessels are cast ashore upon 
the rocks, and perhaps go to pieces with the 
loss of the crew, perhaps are got off with more 
or less injury to themselves and their cargoes. 
Ships seldom perform long voyages without 
meeting with some bad and stormy weather. 
But the^re is much less danger now than there 
was formerly, because vessels are built betteis 
and the way and the dangerous places are bet- 
ter known. Many schooners and sloops, be- 

once was ? In what way are many schooners and sloops em- 

e2 



78 



PARTICULAR VIEW OF 



longing chiefly to the state of Maine, bring to 
Salem great quantities of fire wood and lumber ; 
while a smaller number fetch grain and flour 
from New- York, Baltimore, and other places. 
Many large schooners and brigs belonging to 
the town take cargoes of flour, beef, pork, beans, 
potatoes, lumber, and other articles, carry them 
to the West Indies and sell them and then buy 
and bring back, after an absence of two or three 
months, molasses, sugar, oranges, and lemons. 
Very often they carry their cargoes farther, 
to South-America, and thence after staying 
away four, five, or six months bring molasses 
and sugar, or hides to be tanned into leather, 
horns to be made into combs, or tallow for can- 
dles and soap. The large brigs and ships go 
chiefly to India, half way round the world or 
more, and are gone at least ten or twelve 
months. They carry silver dollars, furs, spars, 
sandal wood, and other tilings and return with 
tea, coflee, pepper, silk, or spices. The East 
India trade has been the greatest and most 
profitable part of the commerce of the Salem 
merchants, has been pursued with great activity 

ployed ? How are the large schooners and bri^s employed ? 
What articles are brought from South America ? How far 
off is India, where the large brigs and ships go ? What 
articles do they carry there, and what do they bring honje ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 79 

and enterprize, and has brought much wealth in- 
to the town. The town owes more to it than 
to any other trade, but it is now much less ad- 
vantageous than it has been. Salem with all 
the disadvantages of a shallow and inconveni- 
ent harbour, of being near Boston which draws 
away its trade, and of many misfortunes which 
have befallen commerce, has sent its vessels 
and still sends them to different parts of the 
United States to trade with our own country- 
men ; to Europe to trade with the English, 
French, Russians, Spaniards, and Danes ; to 
Africa to trade with the negroes ; to Canton to 
trade with the Chinese ; to the northwest coast 
to trade with the Indians, and to many other 
places in the world beside. Its commerce is 
not prevented by the distance of places, the 
danger of voyages, nor by the numerous differ- 
ences of language, customs, and religion among 
foreign nations. The cargoes of goods brought 
by vessels on their return are sold at Salem, 
Boston, or New- York, and are sometimes sent 
to distant parts of the world. They were once 
almost all sold at Salem ; but this is not so 

What can you say of the India trade ? Give an account of 
the commerce of Salern. What is done with the cargoes of 
goods brought by vessels^ when they return home ? What 

e3 



80 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

much the case now. This change has exceeding- 
ly lessened the active business of the place. 
There are numerous stores in the place, how- 
ever, filled with the cloths, wares, and produc- 
tions of the soil of other countries and our own 
country. These are sold to the inhabitants of 
the town and to the people of the adjacent and 
back country, who also bring large quantities 
of the produce of their lands to the Salem Mar- 
ket, especially in the winter season. This 
town is and has long been an excellent nursery 
for merchants and men of business. In the 
stores and counting rooms of Salem young men 
are taught habits of diligence and frugality, and 
a thorough knowledge of modes of business. 
Many merchants educated here have become 
distinguished in their profession, not only in this 
place, but many of them also in Boston, Phila- 
phia and New- York. 

The East-India Marine Hall, a beautiful build- 
ing, contains a museum of curiosities, which is 
extremely interesting to visiters and is highly 
celebrated. Here are collected a variety 
of dresses worn in different parts of the world, 

injury has Salem received ? To whom are the goods in the 
stores sold ? What is said of the town as a place for educating 
merchants ? 

What does the East- India Marine Hall contain ? What 



ESSEX COUNTiT. 81 

rare minerals, coins, and medals, and va- 
rious warlike instruments of many nations, the 
Gods of pagan lands, a rich variety of birds of 
almost every kind and some of exquisite plum- 
age, thousands of insects, shells of every size 
and of the most delicate colours, several fine 
paintings and statues, and a multitude of the 
most singular and curious specimens of the 
works both of nature and of art. The society 
by whose enterprize and personal exertions this 
museum, surpassed for beauty and rarity by 
scarcely any in the world, has been collected, 
is composed of merchants and masters of vessels. 
Salisbury is the oldest town on the north bank 
of Merrimack River. The settlement was be- 
gun here in 1638, or 192 years ago. Salisbury 
formerly contained the township of Amesbury. 
The General Court once assembled in this town 
to settle the boundary line between Massachu- 
setts and New-Hampshire, the Legislature of 
New-Hampshire being at the same time at 

are the curiosities ? By whom were the curiosities col- 
lected 1 

Draw the north line of .Salisbury. Draw Salisbury Beach. 
Draw the south line of the town. Draw Powow River. 
How is the town bounded ? Mark the factories on Powow 
River. Draw the small streams in the town. Where was the 
first settlement made on the north bank of the Merrimack ? 
flow large has the townsliip of Salisbury been ? What event in 
iLe history of tlie town is mentioueel ? Describe the town 

e4 



82 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

Hampton in that state. , The town is bordered 
on the river opposite to Newburyport by a salt 
marsh one mile and a half in width. Beyond 
that the land rises and is gently uneven. The 
marsh grows narrower farther up the river, but 
extends to a great width on the east side of the 
town towards the sea. On the sea shore is a 
fine beach of yellow sand called Salisbury Beach, 
which is visited by many as a curiosity. It ex- 
tends several miles, and is bounded on the land 
side by broken sand hills, succeeded by flat, 
broad marshes, over which in high tides the sea 
sometimes rushes to a great extent. The sea 
tumbles in upon the beach in huge waves, which 
spread out thin far up over the sand. There are 
three principal villages in Salisbury ; one oppo- 
site Newburyport ; another called the Point, at 
the mouth of Powow River, where vessels are 
built, but in much less numbers than formerly ; 
and the most important settlement, farther up 
Powow River at the factories. The last is very 
flourishing, being built around the woollen fac- 
tories, which draw great profit from the manu- 

as to its marsh-lands. What curiosity is there on the sea- 
shore ? Give some account of that side of it next the town, 
How does the water come up over the beach ? Where are the 
three chief villages in Salisbury ? What account is given 
of the village at the factories ? What is the quality of tlie 



ESSEX COUNTY. 83 

facture of flannels. These are excellent and 
are sold throughout the United States under the 
well known name of Salisbury Flannels. This 
and the factory village on the opposite bank of 
the river in Amesbury, are together called 
Amesbury Mills. The business of tanning 
leather is pursued to a great extent in Salisbury. 
Saugus. This town belonged to Lynn till 
the year 1815, when it was separated from it 
and received the ancient Indian name of that 
town, Saugus. Nearly 200 years ago an iron 
mine was discovered on the west bank of Saugus 
River. A foundery was soon built, and for a 
time nearly enough iron was wrought for the 
supply of the colony. Iron was manufactured 
here for more than one hundred years, but sel- 
dom in large quantities. Near the place of the 
factory may still be seen heaps of scoria, or that 
part of the ore which remains after the iron is 
melted and taken away. These heaps a re cal- 

flannels made in the factories ? What places does Amesbury 
Mills contain 1 What business is extensively carried on 
in Salisbury? ,. 0*1, 

Draw the north line of Saugus. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded? Draw Saugus Kiver. 
Draw the tributary to Saugus River, running across the north- 
east corner of the town. Of what town was Saugus once a 
part? Whence did it derive its name ? What discovery was 
made nearly 200 years since 1 How extensively was iron once 
wroutrht here? How long was the mine worked.' What 



84 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

led Cinder Banks. More than 100 years since 
a vessel appeared one evening at the mouth of 
Saugus River. Four men soon left her in a 
boat, passed up the river, landed and went into 
the woods. The vessel sailed and some time 
afterwards the men were seen again. They 
chose a lonely spot in the woods down between 
lofty hills, concealed and darkened by gloomy 
trees ; here they had a hut, a garden, and a. 
well, the marks of which can still be seen. 
They were pirates. After living there some 
time, a vessel came after them, and three were 
seized and carried to England. Some suppo- 
sing that money was buried at the place dug for 
it, but without success. The place has from 
that time been called Pirates' Glen. The pi- 
rate who escaped ran about two miles to a cav- 
ern in a rock. Here he used to live and make 
shoes and sometimes go into the village to ob- 
tain food. At last a great earthquake shook 
the rock so violently, that the top of it fell down 
and shut him up fast within. The cave has 
ever since gone by the name of the Pirate's 
Dungeon, and is frequently visited. 

marks of the iron works are left ? Relate the story of the 
pirates. What became of the pirate that escaped when his 
companions were taken ? 



ESSEX COUNTV. 



85 



Saugus is situated in the extreme southern 
part of Essex County, and has Saugus River 
winding through its whole length with numer- 
ous and frequent bends. Meadows and marsh- 
lands spread out on the banks of the river ; the 
salt marshes near the sea especially are very 
extensive. The remaining and the chief part 
of the township is rough and uneven, and much 
of it is still covered with wood. Some of the 
land on the banks of the river is well cultivated 
and productive. There is a bleachery in Sau- 
gus, in which a considerable amount of money 
is employed. 

Topsjield. In 1639, when three villages 
were q,bout to be settled, one at Danvers, an- 
other at Wenham, and a third at Topsfield, the 
General Court made a grant of a tract of land 
to that one of the three which should first set- 
tle a minister. This was done by Topsfield, 
which was for some time called New-Meadows. 
The village and church at this place were form- 

What is the situation of Saugus ? Describe the banks of 
the river. Is the surface of the rest of the township level or 
rough t In what part of the town is there some good land ? 
What establishment does Saugus contain ? 

Draw the north line of Topsfield. The east line. South. 
West. How is the town bounded ? Draw Ipswich River in 
its course through the town. Draw the small streams flow- 
ing into it. How did Topsfield obtain a tract of land from 
the General Court ? What was Topsfield once called ? VVhy 



86 TARTICULAR VIEW OF 

ed by farmers of Salem and Ipswich, because 
they were too far from both those towns to 
attend meeting regularly at either. Ipswich 
River passes through the town and has two 
bridges built over it on the principal roads. 
The surface of the township is uneven, and 
there are gome high hills in the place. The 
plain in which the church stands and the sides 
of the hills around it present a pleasant prospect, 
adorned by some handsome buildings. An acad- 
emy has recently been opened here with success. 
There are some mechanics in the place, espe- 
cially shoemakers, but the people generally 
labour upon the land. 

Wenha?n. The ancient town of Wenham 
was once a part of Salem and was at first called 
Enon. It contains a large and beautiful col- 
lection of water, called Wenham Pond, which 
is well known, for its pickerel and other 
fish, to the lovers of angling in the neighbour- 
hood. The waters of Wenham Pond find a 

were a village and church formed here ? What river passed 
through the town ? What is said of the surface of the town- 
ship ? Of the plain in Avhich the church stands ? W^hat insti- 
tution is there in the place ? How are the people employed ? 
Draw the north line of ^Venham. The east line. South. 
West. How is Wenham bounded ? Mark the place of Wen- 
ham Pond. Draw the stream flowing from the pond into 
Ipswich River. To what town did Wenham once belong and 
what was it called? What mention is made of Wenham 



ESSEX COUNTY. 87 

passage through a small stream to Ipswich 
River, and thence to the sea. In the northwest 
part of the town is Wenham Swamp, which is 
very large and extends into Hamilton. The 
great Manchester Woods cover a considerable 
part of the eastern end of this town. The peo- 
ple have always been farmers. They live upon 
their lands at some distance from each other, 
so that there is no village of much importance. 
The orchards in this town are annually attacked 
by the canker worms, which effectually destroy 
the fruit. 

West-Newhurif became a town in 1819, 
having been an ancient settlement in the still 
more ancient town of Newbury. The town has 
an elevated situation on the bank of the Merri- 
mack ; but its large swells are divided from each 
other by low and broad vallies. The town af- 
fords specimens of iron ore. The soil is very 
fruitful, and being well cultivated by skilful and 

Pond ? Of Wenham Swamp ? In what part of the town are 
there large woods ? What has always been the business of 
the people ? Is there any large village in the town ? What 
calamity do the famers in Wenham meet with every year ? 
Draw the northern and western lines of West Newbury, 
Draw the eastern and southern lines. How is the town 
bounded ? Draw Indian and Artichoke Rivers. What men- 
tion is made of the history of Newbury ? Describe tlie situa- 
tion and the surface of the town. What metal is found 
there ? What account is given of the soil, the farmers, aiid 



88 PARTICULAR VIEW OF 

industrious farmers, yields fine crops of grain 
and grass. Fruits are also abundant, and the 
butter and cheese from the West-Newbury dai- 
ries are highly praised. Chaises are annually 
made here in considerable numbers, and shoes 
are also extensively manufactured. But by far 
the most important manufacture of the town is 
that of horn and shell combs. Considerably 
more than one hundred persons are employed in 
this business, who make in a year about one 
hundred thousand dozen combs, or to the value 
of nearly two hundred thousand dollars. The 
town is connected with Rocks Village in Ha- 
verhill by a fine bridge one thousand feet in 
length. 

the crops ? What articles are manufactured in West-New- 
bury ? How many combs are made here every yeai- ? How 
can people pass from this town to Haverhill ? 



GENERAL VIEW OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



Towns. Twenty-six towns together form 
Essex County. Of all the towns, Salem con- 
tains the most inhabitants, and Andover the 
most land. Salem has thirteen thousand eight 
hundred and eighty-six inhabitants ; with Salem 
there are four towns each containing over six 
thousand people ; and with these four there are 
eight having each a population of more than 
four thousand persons. Salem, Newburyport, 
and Ipswich are the three shire towns of the 
county. 

Inhabitants. Ten years ago the inhabitants 
of all the towns in Essex County together were 
seventy-four thousand six hundred and fifty-five, 
of whom six hundred and fifty-five were coloured 
people. There are now probably eighty-four 
or eighty-five thousand inhabitants. The peo- 

How many towns does Essex County contain ? What town 
has the most inhabitants ? Which has the most land 1 How 
many people are therein Salem? How many towns have 
more than six thousand inhabitants each ? How many towns 
contain over four thousand each ? Name the shire towns of 
the County. 

What number of people were there in Essex County ten 
years ago 1 How many are there now probably ? How have 



90 GENERAL VIEW OF 

pie have from very early times engaged in the 
different employments of agriculture, fishing, 
commerce, and manufactures. The first white 
men who arrived in this part of the country 
with the design of living here, came for the 
double purpose of fishing and of cultivating the 
land. The early settlers immediately began to 
labour upon the soil ; and there are now more 
people thus employed than in any other way. 
They raise grain, grass, fruit, and cattle, chiefly 
for themselves ; but they also carry great quan- 
tities of produce to Salem and other large towns 
on the coast, whose inhabitants get their money 
by trade and fishing, and in other ways, and, 
not cultivating the land much themselves, are 
compelled to buy provisions of the farmers. 
The people of Essex soon became extensively 
engaged in commerce and the fisheries and have 
so continued. The county has more vessels 
employed in fishing than any other county, and 
more than any other except Suffolk engaged in 
commerce. The first cloth ever manufactured 

the people been employed for a long time ? For what purpose 
did white men first come to live here ? Are there many per- 
sons who labour upon the land? What articles does the 
land produce ? What do the farmers do with these articles ? 
In what other kinds of business have the inhabitants taken a 
part ? Compare this county with otlier counties in tlie num- 
ber of its vessels engaged in commerce and the fisheries ? 



fcifeSEX COUNTY, 9l 

in this country wasi made at Rowley, nails were 
first cut at Amesbury, and in Newbury the first 
woollen factory in Massachusetts was erected* 
The towns on the seacoast and on the Merri* 
mack which once owed much of their business 
to ship-building, have been obliged of late to 
relinquish it almost entirely, as vessels are not 
much wanted. In the interior, the people were 
once all engaged in cultivating the land, except 
a few mechanics, such as carpenters, black- 
smiths, and masons. Now, many labour in 
factories, as at Danvers, Andover, and Ames- 
bury. Shoes are also made in very great num- 
bers, especially in the north part of the county, 
and are sent to various places for sale. 

Rivers. Bass River begins its course in the 
north parish of Beverly, and soon becomes a 
wide stream. It runs south for some distance, 
but shifts its course to the east between Beverly 
and Salem, and falls into Beverly Harbour. It 
has mills upon its course, and pleasant meadows 

Where was woollen cloth lirstmade in this country ? Where 
were nails first cut ? Where was a woollen factory first 
built in Massachusetts? What is said of ship-building in thia 
County ? How were the people in the interior once employ- 
ed ? What do many of them now do ? What article is ex- 
tensively manufactured in Essex County ? 

Draw Bass River. Where are the head waters of Bass 
River f What is its course ? What mention is made of its 
banks ? Of its waters ? 



92 GENERAL VIEW OF 

upon its banks. Its waters rise and fall with 
the tide for a great part of its course, and have a 
salt or brackish taste. 

Chehacco River. This stream flows out of 
a pond on the boundary line between Hamilton 
and Essex. It takes a northeasterly course, and 
passes through extensive salt meadows into Che- 
bacco Bay. Vessels can pass up this river, or 
creek as it is sometimes called, to the town of 
Essex ; and great numbers of them are built on 
its banks and launched into the stream. 

IpsioicJi River. Anciently this stream was 
sometimes called Great River. It begins its 
course in Wilmington, a town in Middlesex 
County, and running across Essex County 
generally in a northeasterly direction, empties 
its waters into Ipswich Bay. Several small 
streams run into it, especially from the north, so 
that it drains off the waters from a great extent 
of land in this county. The waters of Ipswich 
River and its tributary streams pass considerable 
falls in their passage to the sea, and thus afford 
very valuable water power for numerous mills 

Draw Chebacco River, and the branch of it. Where does 
it begin its course ? Where does it empty its waters ? Of 
what use is this stream 1 

Draw Ipswich River. Draw its branches. What was it 
sometimes called in former times ? Describe its course. 
How are its wateis increased ? What use is made of Ipswich 



ESSEX COUNTY. 93 

and several factories. Vessels can come into 
the river and pass up about three miles to Ips- 
wich, but are there stopped by falls. The fine 
meadows of Ipswich River have been celebrated 
ever since the first settlement on its banks at 
Ipswich about two hundred years ago ; they are 
still fruitful and yield abundance of grass. 

Little or West River begins to flow in New- 
Hampshire, and running into Massachusetts at 
Haverhill receives a branch from Great Pond in 
that town and passes in a southeasterly course 
into the Merrimack. 

Little River rises in West-Newbury and runs 
for some distance in Newbury in an easterly 
course ; it then turns off to the southeast and 
falls into Parker River. 

Mc7'rimaeh River rises in New-Hampshire, 
a state which lies north of this county just three 
miles above the river. On leaving that state it 
first runs into Middlesex County, and thence 
across Essex northeasterly into the ocean. It 

River, and its tributaries ? How far can vessels pass up 
Ipswich River 1 What account is given of the meadows on 
this stream ? 

Draw Little, or West River, and its' branches. Describe 
the course of the river. 

Draw Little River. Describe its cours ;. 

Draw MerriiDHck River. Where does the Merrimack 
begin its course ? Describe its course in Massachusetts. 



94 GENERAL VIEW OF 

passes down many falls or steep places in its 
course, so that boats and rafts of lumber cannot 
well be brought down, and vessels can sail up 
no farther than Haverhill, about eighteen miles 
from its mouth. A great deal of sand is set in 
motion at the mouth of the river by the current 
of the stream and by the tide, and is formed 
into a bank not many feet under the top of the 
water. This bar, as it is called, is always 
changing its place^ so that the site of a fort 
once built on Plum-Island, is now in Salisbury 
on the other side of the river. Sailors not used 
to the entrance are very much afraid of passing 
over this bar. The Merrimack is a very long 
and noble river, and runs a course of nearly two 
hundred miles continually growing larger be- 
cause it receives a great many other streams. 
In Essex County the Spicket, Shawshine, Pow- 
ow, and Little Rivers run into it. It is far the 
largest stream in this county, and the second in 
the state, being smaller than the Connecticut 
only, which is a great way off from Essex 
County toward the west. 

What injures the use of the river for boats, rafts, and ves- 
sels l How is a sand bank formed at the mouth of the river ? 
How much does the phice of this bar change ? How long is 
the Merrimack? flow is it increased in size ? How large is 

it? 



£8S£X COUNTV. 96 

North River receives some of its head waters 
from Salem and some from Dan vers ; but the 
main body of its waters is in Salem, coming up 
from the sea with the rising tide and leaving 
its bed almost entirely bare at low tide. It 
empties its waters into Bass River between 
Salem and Beverly. When the river is filled 
by the tide, vessels can pass up the stream one 
mile above Essex Bridge, which connects the 
same towns. 

Parker River begins its course in Boxford 
and taking a direction somewhat north of east, 
receives into its channel the waters of Rowley 
and Little Rivers, and runs into Plum Island 
Sound. In Newbury it descends almost fifty 
feet in a course of one mile and a half, affording 
valuable water power for factories and mills. 
After passing these falls it unites with the 
water flowing in from the sea with the tide, and 
grows much wider and is deep enough for ves- 
sels to float for three miles from its mouth. As 
it draws near the sea, its banks spread out into 
very extensive salt marshes. 

Draw North River, and its branches. How is tlie bed of 
North River filled with water 1 Where do the waters of the 
river flow ? What use can be made of the river when it is 
full of the water of the sea ? 

Draw Parker River. Describe the course of Parker River. 
What falls does it pass over 1 What change does it meet 

f2 



96 GENERAL VIEW OF 

Plum-Island Sound, generally called Pluni- 
I.^land River, is a collection of water between 
Plum-Island and the main land, formed by the 
tide flowing in at each end of it over Newbury 
and Ipswich bars, and by the currents of Row- 
ley and Parker Rivers. It is f^om one quarter 
of a mile to a mile wide, and at low tide a per- 
son can ford it or wade across it in several 
places. 

Porter^s River has several branches, the 
waters of which are chiefly in Danvers. The 
fresh currents of the head branches do not run 
far before they mix with the waters of the sea, 
brought in by the tide, so that the main stream 
is salt. Across the branches dams are built 
which secure water enough to set the works of 
several mills and factories in motion. At high 
tide the water is sufficiently deep for vessels to 
pass up the branches of the river, but they 
must first go through Essex Bridge between 
Salem and Beverly. This bridge, like many 

with after passing the falls ? Give an account of its banks 
near the sea. 

Draw Plum-Island Sound. How is this collection of wa- 
ter formed 1 How wide is it ? How deep at low water ? 

Draw Porter's River and its branches. In what town chief- 
ly are the head waters of Porter's River ? What part of the riv- 
er is salt and what part fresh ? In what parts of this stream 
are there mills and factories ? When can vessels pass up the 
river ? How can they go through Essex Bridge ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



97 



Others, has a draw, or part that can be raised 
like a scuttle-door, to let the vessel's mast pass 
through. 

Powow River, rising in New-Hampshire, 
runs into Massachusetts in Amesbury, but pass- 
es again into New-Hampshire and then a second 
time flowing into Massachusetts forms the boun- 
dary line between Amesbury and Salisbury, and 
empties its waters into Merrimack River. Its 
waters descend several falls in their course ; in 
Amesbury especially their channel, in the dis- 
tance of fifty rods, becomes 100 feet lower than 
before. 

Rowley River. The head waters of this 
stream flow from several ponds in Boxford. The 
river runs in a northeasterly course towards the 
sea and empties its waters into Parker River. It 
affords water power for several mills, and in the 
latter part of its course is bordered by salt marshes. 

Saiigus River rises near Ipswich River, in 
Reading, a town in Middlesex County, and 
running in a southeasterly, but very winding 
course flows into Ly nn Bay. Several small 

Uraw Fowow River. Describe its course. How much 
does the river fall in Amesbury. 

Draw Rowley River. Where are the sources or head 
waters of Rowley River 7 Describe its course. Ot what use 
is it besides that of watering the land ? 

Draw SaucTus River, and its branches. Describe its course. 



98 GENERAL VIEW OF 

Streams empty their waters into it; and for 
some distance from its mouth the tide comes in 
from the sea and makes it deep enough to float 
vessels. Immense tracts of salt marsh spread 
out on both sides of it, as it approaches the sea. 

SJiawsliine River begins its course in Lexing- 
ton, a town in Middlesex County, runs into 
Essex at Andover, and passing through that 
town in a northeasterly direction flows into the 
Merrimack. It is about three rods wide at its 
mouth. It receives the waters of several brooks 
and has fine meadows on each side of it. This 
stream is very useful, because it moves by its 
water power the works of a number of mills 
and factories. 

South River is formed by several brooks in 
Salem, and, having run for a considerable part 
of its course towards the northeast, turns to the 
east and at last falls into Salem Harbour. For 
a great part of its length toward the east, it is 
filled and emptied every tide by the salt water 
from the sea and is continually used by vessels, 

.^^r!^ Shawshiue River. Describe the course of the Shav.-- 

bordereH rof'^'l"/' '' ■ "'^f ^' '* '^^^re^^eA ; and how is it 
uordered ? Of what use is it ? 

Draw South River. Describe its course. How is it used? 



ESJsEX COUNTY. 99 

which are approaching or leaving the wharves 
in Salem, built on its banks. Sometimes the 
tides are so high that the water rises above the 
wharves and carries off many articles, such as 
wood and lumber, lying upon them. 

S])ickct River comes down from New-Hamp- 
shire and enters Massachusetts at Methuen, 
which it crosses in a southeasterly direction and 
flows into the Merrimack. In one part of its 
course in Methuen it rushes down its rocky bed 
thirty feet perpendicularly, supplying water 
power abundantly for factories and mills. 

There are many other streams in the County 
not so large as those that have been described, 
but yet very important and useful to the land 
and to the inhabitants. They are useful, be- 
cause they drain very wet places and moisten 
those that are too dry, and thus improve the soil. 
Very often in their course they pass down steep 
places with a great deal of force. This makes 
water power and may set grist-mills and saw- 
mills in motion, which are necessary for the 
convenience of the people of every town. When 

How much water sometimes comes in from the sea ? 

Draw Spicket River, and its branches. Describe the course 
of Spicket River. Give an accouut of the falls at Methuen. 

Are there any other streams in Essex County beside those 
"»iiHt have been mentioned ? Of what use are they ? Of what 

f4 



100 GENERAL VIEW OF 

several of these streams flow together they form^ 
rivers. 

Ponds. There are a great many ponds in 
Essex County. The water in them generally 
comes up from springs at the bottom ; but they 
also catch that which comes down from the high 
land around in the time of heavy rains, or of the 
melting of the snow and ice. They beautify 
the country very much, and in most cases water 
it by sending forth a small stream,, often a mill- 
stream, to some of the neighbouring rivers. 
They also contain fish, such as perch, breams, 
and pickerel, which may be caught in considera- 
ble numbers by those fond of this amusement. 
Some of the largest and most important ponds 
in the county are Great Pond in Andover, 
another of that name in Haverhill, and Wenham 
Pond between Wenham and Beverly. 

Surface of the County. Much of the sea- 
shore is rough and rocky, but it has here and 
there a sandy beach. The outline of the coast 
is very uneven, and is interrupted by the mouths 

advantage are they when they go down steep places 1 How 
are rivers formed ? 

Are there, or are there not, many ponds in this County ? 
How are they filled with water ? What are the uses of ponds 1 

What fish do they contain ? JName some of the largest in 
the County. 

What is said of the sea-shore ? Of its shape ? What kind 



ESSEX COUNTY. 101 

of several streams, and by harbours and points 
of land running into the sea. Next the shore, 
in a great part both of the east and south of the 
county, are great tracts of salt marsh, which 
produces large quantities of grass. People 
come down every year to make salt hay, which 
is very good for cattle, but not so useful for 
horses. Leaving the coast and the marshes, 
the traveller in passing over the County will meet 
with hills, plains, and valleys rapidly succeeding 
each other, sometimes covered with wood and 
sometimes used for tillage or pasture-land, and 
adorned by numerous ponds and streams of 
water. There are a great many hills in the 
county, but no mountains ; the highest elevation 
is Bald Pate, in Rowley. The high lands admit 
of cultivation to their summits. The soil is 
generally hard to cultivate, but is made produc- 
tive by the industry of the farmers, though not 
then so fruitful as the land in some other coun- 
ties of Massachusetts. The towns near Salem 
and Boston have an advantage over others in 
being so near a market to which they can send 
the produce of their lands. 

of land is next to the shore for much of its length ? 
What is done with the salt grass ? Describe the general sur- 
face of the County. What is the highest land in Essex 
County ? Is it a mountain ? Give some account of the soil. 
What advantage have the towns near Salem and Boston ? 



102 GENERAL VIEW OF 

Turnpike Roads. When there is a great 
deal of travel between certain towns, and the 
road is crooked, a number of rich men obtain 
permission from the General Court to make one 
that will be straighter and shorter, and to take a 
small sum of money from every one who chooses 
to go over it rather than the old one. Such 
a road is called a turnpike, and the money paid 
by travellers is called toll. There are several 
turnpikes lying partly or wholly in Essex County ; 
among them are one leading from Andover to 
Boston, another leading from Andover to Salem, 
and the Salem and Newburyport Turnpikes 
from Salem and Newburyport to Boston. Of 
all the turnpikes in the county the Salem Turn- 
pike has gained most money for its owners ; the 
others have not been very good property for 
those who caused them to be made. 

History. A little more than 200 years ago 
all Essex County, where there are now so many 
towns, and schools, and white people, was a 
great forest, except a few small spots cleared of 
wood and cultivated by the Indians. It was 
inhabited by these Indians, who were of a dark 

What i^ a turapike, and what is tull ? ^.Vliat turnpikes are 
mentioned ? Have they been profitable to their owners ? 
What was the state of Essex County somewhat more than 



ESSEX COUNTY. 103 

red colour, and who used to stay only ajshort 
time in one place, but lived chiefly at Haverhill, 
Andover, Ipsvi^ich, Newbury, Lynn, Salem, and 
Marblehead. The men were very idle, but 
loved to fight and to hunt wild animals ; the 
women performed the hardest work, such as 
cultivating the ground and carrying heavy 
things. Both men and women were very fond 
of their children. They lived upon boiled corn, 
sometimes mixed with beans, and frequently 
cooked with fish or the flesh of wild animals. 
Their clothes were made of the skins of foxes, 
beavers, deer, and other beasts. They used to 
paint their faces of different colours. They did 
not know the true God, and some prayed to the 
sun or moon, or to fire ; most of them worship- 
ped one great being who, they thought, did 
them good, and another who could do them 
harm. A few y^ars before white people came 
here to live, a great plague or deadly sickness 
destroyed vast numbers of the Indians and left 
the country almost without inhabitants. 

two hundred years ago. Where did the Indians use to live ? 
What was the disposition of the Indian men ? How did the 
women differ in their habits from women at this time 1 What 
was their food ? How did they dress themselves and alter 
their appearance ? What did they know of a God ? What ca- 
lamity happened to the Indians ? 



104 GENERAL VIEW OF 

The first visit paid to this county by Europe- 
ans seems to have taken place in 1611, when 
Edward Harlie and Nicholas Hobson came to 
Agawam, or Ipswich, and were kindly treated 
by the Indians. The earliest lasting settlement 
of white people in the County was made at 
Salem two hundred and two years ago. The 
settlers came from England to enjoy the liberty 
of worshipping God as they thought right, not 
being permitted to do so in their own country. 
They were anxious for the education of children 
and youths ; soon they had schools at which all 
children might attend, and they had chosen a 
place for a college before that at Cambridge 
was established. In the course of ten years 
great numbers had come over and settled the 
towns of Lynn, Newbury, Ipswich, Salisbury, 
and Marblehead. In fifteen years, or in 1643, 
Essex County was formed ; it contained eight 
towns. Salisbury and Haverhill for nearly forty 
years belonged to another county, called the 
County of Norfolk; but in 1680 were united to 
Essex. 

What happened in 1611 ? When did white people first 
come to live in tEssex County ? Whence and why did they 
come ? What did they socai do for the cause of learning ? 
Name the towns settled in the course of ten years. How 
feoon was Essex County formed ? What two towns once be- 
longed to another county ? 



ESSEX COUNTY. 105 

In J 692 Essex County was very much troub- 
led, and suffered great injury from the unfound- 
ed excitement about witchcraft. Many persons 
were accused and tried, who belonged to vari- 
ous towns in the County, and to several out of 
the County. They were charged with being 
the friends of the Devil, and with receiving 
power from him to pass through the air without 
going upon the ground, to torment people and 
make them sick, and to do other strange things. 
Trials were held in several places, but chiefly 
in Salem. If the persons accused confessed 
that they were guilty, they were released ; if 
they did not, and were judged guilty by the 
court, they were condemned to death. More 
than one hundred were put in prison ; one was 
pressed to death for refusing to say whether he 
was guilty or not guilty ; and nineteen were 
hung upon the gallows. 

Essex County sent soldiers to fight in the wars 
with the Indians at different times, especially 
in the Pequod war, and the great war with King 

What misfortune happened in 1692 ? Where did the accus- 
ed persons live ? With what were they charged ? Where 
were trials held ? What was done to those wlio confessed, and 
to these who denied their guilt ? How many were punished ? 

Give an account r>f tlie efl'orts of Kssex County in the wara 
^vith tlie Indians ? What was clone by the towns in the Fvcv- 



106 GENERAL VIEW OF 

Philip, in which Captain Lathrop and about 
seventy of the most promising young men of 
the County were cut off in a single battle. In 
the war of the Revolution great efforts were 
made for their country by the towns of this 
county. Four regiments of soldiers belonging 
to Essex were in the field in the first part of the 
war. Part of two of them fought in the battle 
of Bunker Hill, and had many men killed and 
wounded. Col. Little and Col. Frye of these 
regiments fought very bravely and highly distin- 
guished themselves. Col. Little's regiment had 
come from Essex just before the battle. The 
men heard the cannon begin to fire, and without 
waiting for orders marched to Cambridge to 
Gen. Ward and offered their services, and then 
went into the battle. Essex County met with 
severe hardships in the last war, which began 
eighteen years ago. The towns on the sea-coast 
suffered terribly ; they saw their commerce and 
their fisheries utterly destroyed, and the numer- 
ous families of those dependent on these bran- 
ches of business, reduced to great distress. 

olution 1 How many of their regiments were out in the first 
part of the war ? In what battle did some of the soldiers 
fight ? What two officers fought very boldly ? What did Col, 
Little's regiment do '? In what otlier war did Essex County 



ESSEX COUNTY, 107 

Very great efforts were made here, however, 
for the defence of the country against the Brit- 
ish, their enemies. 

Though Essex does not contain so much land 
as some other counties, it is very wealthy, and 
has long been before all the rest in population. 
It sends six senators to j;he General Court, and 
may have about eighty representatives. 

suffer severely ? What were the hardships of some of the 
towns ? Who were their enemies ? 

Compare Essex County with the other counties of this 
state. How many senators and representatives may it send 
to General Court ? 



REVIEW OE THE COUNTY 



Draw the north line of Essex County. The east line, 
South. West. How is the County bounded on the north I 
Oil the east ? South ? West ? 

Draw the shape of Salem. -In what part of the County is 
it ? Vvl^.at do you recollect of the sufferings of this town in 
the time of witchcraft? How did Salem obtain its wealth, 
and its numerous inhabitants '/ What curiosities are there in 
the Salem Museum ? 

Draw the shape of jNewburyport. Which way is it from 
Salem ? What do you recollect of the great fire in this place 1 
What is the appearance of the town ? How much land has 
this town^ compared with others in the County. 

Draw the shape of x\ndover. Which way is it from Sa- 
lem ? Which way from Newburyport ? Compare Andover 
with other towns in Essex as to its size. Give some account 
of the Institution in this town. 

Draw the shape of Lynn. Which Avay is it from Marble- 
head ? Give an account of the meetings of the Indians on 
Lynn Beach. What do you recollect of JNahant ? What 
business is extensively carried on in Lynn ? 

Draw Haverhill. Give an account of the sufferincrs of 
Mrs, Duston, and her escape from the Indians. What do 
you i-ecollect of the attack, in which Mr. Rolfe.was killed ? 

Draw Salisbury. Which way is it from Salem? How early 
was it settled, compared with tlie other towns on tlie north 
bank of the Merrimack ? What kind of cloth is manufactured 
here ? 

Draw Marblehead. Which way is it from Salem ? From 
Newburyport ? From Lynn ? What generous offer was once 
made by the people of this town to the merchants of Boston ? 
For what is Marblehead celebrated ? Give an account of 
the manner in which cod-fish are caught ? 

Draw Ipswich. Give some account of an Indian battle in 
this town. What article is manufactured here ? 

Draw Gloucester. Which way is it from Andover ? From 
Newburyport ? What do you recollect of the surface of the 
town ? What is the business of the people of Gloucester ? 



REVIEW OF THE COUNTY. 109 

Draw Dan vers. Which way is it from Snlem ? What un- 
happy calamity began here ? What are the most important 
articles nianufactured in Danvers ? 

Draw Newbury. Which way is it from Andover ? Why 
did the Indians choose this place for a town ? Draw Pium- 
Island. Describe it. 

[The teacher can exercise his discretion as to extending 
the review of towns to any or all others in the County.] 

What towns in the County contain academies ? What towns 
have factories in them ? Name the three shire towns of this 
County. In what town are vessels built in great numbers ? 
Mark the place of Essex. What towns are celebrated for 
the manufacture of shoes ? What do you recollect of tlie 
number of shoes made in these towns ? 

How many inhabitants are there in Essex County ? What 
are the employments of the people ? 

Draw Merrimack River in its course through the County. 
How far can vessels pass up the river ? In what direction 
does it run ? How is a sand bar formed at its mouth ? Name 
the towns on the north bank of the river, and mark their pla- 
ces. Name the towns on the south bank, and mark their 
places. 

Draw Powow River and its tributaries. In what direction 
does it flow ? What mills and factories are there upon it ? 
Mark their places. 

[If the pupil do not recollect the places of falls, mills, and 
factories upon a river, he may observe what towns border 
that stream and turn back to the description of those towns 
in the Geojjraphy.] 

Draw Little River in Haverhill, and its branches. 

Draw Spicket River. Draw its branches. Mark the 
place of the falls upon the river. 

Draw all the streams not yet drawn, which run into the 
Merrimack on the north side. Draw those running into it 
on the south side. 

Draw Shawshine River. What mills and factories are 
there upon it ? In what direction does it flow ? 

Draw Cochichewick Brook. What factories are there up- 
on it ? 

Draw Indian River. Draw Artichoke River. 

Draw Parker River. In what town are there mills and 
a factory upon it ? In what direction does it flow ? How far 
can vessels pass up the river ? 

Draw Rowley River. In what direction does it flov ' 

G 



110 REVIEW OF THE COUNTY. 

JDraw Little River. What kind of land is there on the 
borders of Rowley and Parker Rivers ? 

Where is Plum-Island Sound. How is it filled with water? 

Dra^v Ipswich River. What factory is there upon it in 
Ipswich ? Draw the branches of Ipswich River running into 
it on the north side. Draw those running into it on the 
south side. 

Draw Chebacco River. What business is pursued on its 
banks ? 

Draw Bass River. How is the lower part of it filled with 
water ? 

Draw Porter's River and its branches. What mills and 
factories are there upon it ? 

Draw North River and its branches. How is it chiefly 
supplied with water ? 

Draw South River. What mills are there upon it ? 

Draw Saugus River and its branches. In what direction 
does it flow ? What kind of land has it upon its banks ? 

Are there any other streams of water in Essex County 
besides those that have been mentioned ? Of what use are 
they ? 

Mark the situation of Wenham Pond. Of any other ponds 
you can recollect. Of what use are they ? 

What do you recollect of the surface of the County ? 
Where is the highest land ? 

Draw Newburyport Turnpike. What towns does it pass 
through ? Draw Salem Turnpike. What towns does it pass 
through 1 Draw Salem and Andover Turnpike. What towns 
does it pass through 7 

What people used to live in Essex County before white 
men came here ? What do you recollect of their customs ? 
What towns were first settled by white people ? Mark their 
places ? What misfortune happened in 1692 ? 

What was done by Essex County in the Indian wars ? In 
the Revolution ? How much did it suffer in the last war ? 
What do you recollect of the present importance of the 
County ? 



DEFINITIONS 



OF GEOGRAPHICAL AND. OTHER DIFFICULT TERMS 
AS THEY ARE USED IN THIS BOOK. 



Abandoned. Left, given up. 

Abutments. Places built of earth and timber or stone to sup- 
port the ends of bridges. 

Accused. Having a fault or crime laid to them. 

Adjacent. Very near, close by. 

Agriculture. The tilling or cult^ation of the ground. 

Anchors. Very large and heavy articles of iron shaped like 
a pickaxe ; they are thrown from vessels and sticking in 
the sand or mud at the bottom of the water hold the vessels 
fast by a large rope or cable tied to them, as a halter holds 
a horse. 

Ancient. Very old. 

Angling. Fishing for pleasure. 

Aqueduct. A set of pipes, often hollow logs, joined togeth- 
er for water to run through. 

Ascend. To go up. 

Assemble. To come together. 

Attack. To rush upon, meaning to kill or to do hurt. 

Bank. Tlie banks of a river are the sides of it, between 
which the water runs. A bank in a town is a building in 
which a great deal of money is kept; the owners of it are 
generally rich people who pass for money printed pieces 
of paper called bank bills, and return the money for them 
if any one brings them to the bank. 

Bark. A vessel with three masts, but different from a ship, 
because it has one of them with rigging or ropes like those 
of a schooner. 

Beach. A part of the sea-shore where the sand is smooth and 

t hard. 

Blacksmiths. Those who work upon iron, and shoe horses 
and oxen. 
Bleachery. A building in which clothes are whitened, 



112 DEFINITIONS. 

Blocks. Very large and long buildings, containing several 

houses or stores. 
Boundary. Where two towns or tAvo counties meet, the line 

between them is called a boundary or boundary line. The 

dotted lines on the maps which show the shapes of the 

towns are boundaries. 
Brig. A vessel with two masts, almost always larger than a 

schooner, having also different ringing or ropes. 
Brook. A small stieam of water, generally smaller than a 

river. 
Butchers. Those who kill cattle and sheep and prepare their 

meat for the mai-ket. 
Cabinet furniture. Pieces of furniture for houses, as sofas 

and bureaus. 
Canal. A long, broad trench or ditch dug in the earth and 

filled with water to float boats or rafts upon. 
Cargoes. The quantity of goods carried by a vessel. 
Carpenters. Those who build or repair houses and barns. 
Causeway. A road built ||p high over very low and wet 

ground. 
Celebrated. Known a great way off" and much talked about. 
Celebrity, Great fame. 
Chapel. A place in which people attend meeting or public 

worship. 
Circulate. Go round. 
Civilized. Nations are civilized which are governed by laws 

and have learning and the useful arts among them. 
Coast. The shore t)r border of the sea. 
Coins. Pieces of gold, silver, or copper, stamped and used 

for money. 
Commerce. The carrying of things away to distant places 

for sale and the bringing of others back to be sold in 'this 

country. 
Common. A level, publick place in a town, oftefi one on 

which companies parade. 
Communication. A passage or way for people to go from 

one place to another. 
Compact. Having the houses near each other. 
Connected. Joined. 

Contrast. Complete difference or unlikeness, as that be- 
tween white and black. 
Cordage. The different kinds of rope. 
County. Several towns united together by law. A county 

consists of one or several towns having in them a court- 



DEFINITIONS. 1 13 

house and a jail. Wicked persons who break the laws are 

tried by the judges in the court houses and imprisoned in 

the jails. 
Crew. The men or sailors belonging to a vessel. 
Crime. A wicked action against the law. 
Crops. Things raised upon the land, such as hay and grain. 
Cultivate. To plough and hoe land and raise crops from it. 
Custom-hoicse. A building, in which duties or taxes on a 

vessel's cargo are paid, and permission to land goods or to 

sail from a port is given. 
Dairies. Rooms or places where milk is kept to be made 

into butter and cheese, or the milk and butter and cheese 

themselves. 
Demand. In demand means, wanted and asked for. 
Descend. To go doAvn or fall down. We descend when we 

go down a hill ; and water descends when it falls over a 

dam or down any steep place. 
Direction. The way in which any thing goes or lies. 
Draw-bridge. A bridge with one part that can be lifted up 

like the lid of a chest the whole width of the bridge, so as 

to let vessels with masts pass through. 
Eminent. Famous for doing great things. 
Erected. Built. 

Escape. To get away from danger. 
Establish. To settle ; to fix for a long time in one place. 
Excavating. Digging up. 
Exclusively. Alone, without any beside. 
Expense. Cost, what is paid for a thing. 
Expensive. Costly, having cost a great deal of money. 
Exported. Carried to distant places to be sold. 
Factory. In a cotton factory cotton is made into^ cotton 

cloth. In a woollen factory sheep's wool is made into 

woollen cloth. In an iron factory iron is worked into dif- 
ferent shapes and articles. 
Falls. Places where a river goes down suddenly from one 

place to another much lower. 
Flourishing. Successful, having good luck. 
Fort. A place with high banks or walls round it and made 

strong against an enemy. 
Fortified. A fortified house is one made strong and safe 

against an enemy, and having guns in it. 
Founders. The founders of an academy arc those who first 

set it up. 
Foundery. The house and tools used to cast metals. 
Frenzy. Great madness or craziness 



114 DEFINITIONS. 

General Court. A large number of persons are chosen by 
' the people every year, some for the towns of the state 
and a few for the counties, to meet together and make laws 
or rules to prevent people from doing wrong or to punish 
them if they do ; just as the school-master or mistress makes 
rules for the school. The persons chosen go to Boston 
twice a year to meet together. Those chosen for counties 
are called Senators and when they are together, form the 
Senate. Those for the towns are called Representatives 
and when collected form the House of Representatives. 
Both together form the General Court. 

Gondola. A large and broad flat bottomed boat. 

Goods. Things bought and sold by merchants or shop 
keepers. Dry goods are those made of linen, wool, cotton 
or silk. 

Grist-mill. A mill where corn and other grain is ground into 
meal. 

Harbour .A large place in the sea-shore where the sea comes 
in and where the land round keeps the winds and waves 
from being so high and violent as to injure vessels. 

Hoisted. Raised up. 

House of Correction. A place where bad people are kept. 

Industrious. People constantly employed and not wasting 
any of their time are industrious. 

Tnhabitants. The people living in a place. 

Institution. A theological institution is a great school or 
seminary in which young men study so that they may be- 
come ministers. 

Interior. In the inner part, far from the outside or edge. 

Interriipted. Stopped for a time, broken. ?i!, ? 

Interval. Interval land is the low land in the valley of a 
fresh water river. 

Invalids. People who do not have good health. 

Island. A piece of land surrounded by water. 

Launched. Pushed or slid into the water. 

Lecture-rooms. Large rooms or chambers, in which students 
say or recite their lessons, or have things told them by their 
teachers. 

Library. A great collection of books, kept to be read and 
not to be sold. 

Manufactories. Buildings where cloths or other articles are 
made for sale. 

Manufactured. Made by hand or machinery. 

Manufactures. Things made by hand or machinery, as hats 
and cloths. 



DEFINITIONS. 115 

Market. Places in large to%vns where things are constantly 
bought and sold. 

Markeimcji. Those who carry meat or other articles to mar- 
ket. 

Marsh-land. Watery and swampy land. 

Mtadoin. Low, wet land. Meadow-lands are generally near 
rivers and ponds. 

Jilechanics. Those persons who work at trades with tools, as 
carpenters, wheelwrisrhts. and saddlers. 

3Iedals. Pieces of gold, silver or copper, stamped to re- 
member some famous person or event by. 

Merchants. Men who buy and sell things from distant coun- 
tries. 

Mineral. A stone or earthy substance ; generaUy it means 
one of an uncommon or valuable kind. 

Mottntain. ^'ery high land, higher than a hiU. 

Operation. In operation means, having its business or works 
going on. 

Pasan. Pagan lands are those, where the people axe not 
Christians. 

Parallel. Running the same way without meeting ; so the 
sides of a road or street may be said to be parallel. 

Pari.^h. A part of a to%\-n where the people live who belong 
to one church. 

Paupers. Poor persons supported by charitv'. 

Peninsula. A piece of land which is almost an island, being 
nearly surroimded by water. 

Perpendicular. Straight up or down, as a stick is when it 
stands on one end and does not lean any way. 

Piers. Great piles of stone in a river to hold up a bridge. 

Plain. A large piece of level land. 

Plunder. To" take violently without leave. 

Pond. A small collection of water surrounded by land. 

Popular. Liked by the people. 

President. A person who has the chief management. 

Privateers. Vessels made snug and light, which belong to 
private persons and saU away \\"ith many guns and men on 
board to take the vessels of a nation at war with this coun- 
try. 

Prizes. Things won and taken, whether in sports from a 
friend, or in war from an enemy. 

Productive. Fruitful, yielding good crops. 

Profession. Any particular kind of business, as that of mer- 
chants. 



il6 DEFINITIONS. 

Professors. Those who teach any science or branch of 

learning at a college or great seminary. 
Property. Money, or any thing worth nioney, as land and 

houses. 
Prosperous. Fortunate, lucky. 
Provisions. Victuals, food. 
Quarry. A place where stone may be split or dug out of the 

earth. 
Rafts. A great quantity of logs, timber or boards fastened 

together and floated upon water. 
Requiring. Making necessary. 
Reserved. Saved, kept for some purpose. 
Residences. Houses. 
Revolution. A change made violently by the people in their 

form of government, or the war in which they do it. 
Rigging. The ropes in a vessel." 
River. A large stream of water flowing into another stream 

or into the sea. 
Sagamore. An Indian Chief. 
Sails. Large pieces of coarse cloth, called duck, which 

being fastened to a vessel's masts and spread open, catch 

the wind and so move the vessel along. 
Saio-mill. A mill for sawing boards and timber out of logs. 
Scalped. Cut the skin from the top of the head with the 

hair on it. 
Schooner. A vessel with two masts not often so large as a 

brig. 
Seacoast. The border of the sea. 
Seamen. Men who go to sea for a living. 
Seaports. Towns on the sea-shore, with harbours. 
Seminary. A school, generally an important one. 
Semi-weekly. Appearing twice a week. 
Settled. First taken by white people to live in. 
Settlements. Places where people have cleared land and 

built houses. 
Settlers. Those who first take a place to live in. 
Ship. A vessel with three masts. 
Shire towns. Towns in which the courts of a county are 

held. 
Sloop. A vessel with one mast. 

Society A number of people who have agreed to meet to- 
gether at certain times and do other things together. 
Soil. The dark earth on the top of the ground, out of which 

plants grow. 



DEFINITIONS. 117 

^ound. A large but shallow collection of water nearly sur 
rounded by land. 

Source. The source of a river is the spring or pcnd whence 
it first begins to run. 

Spars. Long pieces of pine or spruce timber fastened above 
the deck or top of a vessel to spread sails upon. 

Specimen. One of many things of the same kind or one 
piece of any thing by which the rest may be known. 

Sportsmen. Men who are in the habit of hunting or fishing 
for amusement. 

Sp7-ings. Places where the water rises or bubbles up out of 
the ground. 

Students. Young persons belonging to a theological institu- 
tion or to a college. 

S^dtry. Very hot with a close air. 

Surface. The top, the upper side. 

Tanneries. Places in which skins of animals are made into 
leather by being steeped in the juice of the bark of 
trees, thus growing firmer and better able to keep out water. 

Tide. On the seacoast the waters are continually rising or 
falling. For six hours in succession they are swelling and 
spreading over the shores. This is called the flowing of 
the tide. For the next six hours they lessen and pass off" 
This is called the ebbing of the tide. The two regularly 
succeed each other. 

Tillage. The ploughing and hoeing of land and raising crops 
from it. 

Tomahavjk. An Indian hatchet. 

Town. A town is the land and water, the houses and 
people within its boundaries ; sometimes it means the peo- 
ple alone. 

Toionship. The land and water in a town. 

Tract. A piece of land of considerable extent. 

Turnpike-road. A road which cannot be travelled by any 
one without paying a small sum of money for using it. 

Vegetables. Plants and roots used for food, as cabbages and 
turnips. 

Vicinity. Neighbourhood. 

Village. A pretty large number of houses standing together. 

Voyage. When a vessel goes from one place to another a 
great way off and comes back, it performs a voyage. 

War. When one nation fights with another, and the people 
kill each other, this is war. 

Wharves. Places built of earth and timber or stone out from 
g2 



^ ^in.o 



J 18 DEFINITIONS. y^ . V ^ ^ 

the bank or shore into a river or harbour. Stores are often 

built upon them 5 vessels lie at their sides and have their 

cargoes taken out and receive -lew cargoes. 
V/liite lead. A white powder made of common lead and used 

by painters in mixing paint. 
Wigtvam. An Indian hut or house. 
Witchcraft. The use of power from the Devil, the actions 

of witches. 
Witches. People supposed to have power from the Devil to 

do strange things. 



Note. — The fort stated in page 16, on the high author- 
ty of Dr. Bentley, to have been built in Beverly before the 
arrival of Gov. Endicott in 1G28, has been lately proved to 
have been in Marblehead by the testimony of several aged 
people, given in 1690 and quoted by Mr. Felt in his Annals 
of Salem from the Quarterly Court Records. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

ill II! I 




014 076 361 5 



